South African bishops establish office to address human trafficking

Published: 2006-02-07

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (CNS) -- The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference is establishing an office at its Pretoria headquarters to address human trafficking. Conference officials said they are "acutely aware" that the countries they represent -- Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland -- are affected by international trafficking in women and children, particularly for the sex trade. "The trafficking in the vulnerable will not be challenged until women and children are treated, not as goods or possessions to be bought, used and sold, but as unique and valuable individuals," the bishops said in a Feb. 1 statement after a plenary meeting in Pretoria. "Society's strength is measured not in its strongest, most-privileged members, but in its most vulnerable members," the bishops added, noting that "women and children have the right to family and nurturing and security."

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