Human trafficking

The Latest

Ivanka Trump at Rome's Community Sant'Egidio to meet with African women freed from human trafficking on May 24, 2017.

Ivanka Trump meets with human trafficking survivors in Rome

May 24, 2017

By Elise Harris

After a visit with Pope Francis Wednesday, Ivanka Trump met a group of human trafficking survivors, calling them examples of... Read more

Red light district.

We need to 'shatter' the anonymity of sex purchasers, lawmakers say

Apr 27, 2017

By Matt Hadro

The U.S. government needs to be continually equipped to fight the scourge of human trafficking in new and effective ways,... Read more

Maryland bishops join fight against human trafficking

Apr 5, 2017

Maryland's bishops united in voicing their concerns over the evils of human trafficking, announcing their sponsorship of a statewide initiative... Read more

Fr. Alberto Gaton. Photo courtesy of Fr. Alberto Gaton.

Meet the priest who has helped rescue thousands on the Mediterranean Sea

Feb 16, 2017

Father Alberto Gaton is the chaplain of a Spanish ship that combats human trafficking by rescuing people in the Mediterranean... Read more

St Josephine Bakhita, former slave, is patron of trafficking victims

Feb 8, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

As human trafficking continues to be a supremely important issue during Pope Francis’ pontificate, with an estimated 20 million victims... Read more

Sex and labor trade victims speak out during Los Angeles march

Jan 30, 2017

“I knew my life wasn’t normal,” Duñia Zelaya said of her childhood. She vividly remembers the night her mother and... Read more

Red light district.

Senate report says online ad site hid child sex trafficking

Jan 10, 2017

By Matt Hadro

As a new Senate report alleges that the advertising site Backpage.com covered for child sex traffickers, Backpage defends its record... Read more

CC 1.0

In the fight against prostitution, who's talking about the clients?

Dec 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

For religious sisters working to end forced prostitution through human trafficking, there is one thing consistently left out of the... Read more

Do you buy shrimp? You might want to know about this

Nov 9, 2016

By Matt Hadro

When we purchase bananas at the grocery store or eat at a seafood restaurant, we might not think twice about... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 1 2014.

Pope Francis lauds women religious in fight against trafficking

Nov 7, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met in Rome with a unique group involved in the fight against human trafficking, where he noted the... Read more

Woman.

To stop human trafficking, look at root causes, survivor says

Oct 27, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Helping the victims of human trafficking is not enough – we must go to the root to solve the problem,... Read more

A CRS tent aiding refugees and migrants in Europe.

Do something about forced migration, cardinal exhorts UN

Sep 20, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican Secretary of State pleaded Monday for an increased commitment from the international community in addressing the root causes... Read more

'Forced to endure hell' – A severe new report on human trafficking

Jun 30, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The U.S. government released its annual human trafficking report Thursday, drawing praise but also some criticism for allegedly giving some... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 30, 2016.

Victims always come first, Pope tells trafficking summit

Jun 4, 2016

Pope Francis asked judges, prosecutors and magistrates gathered at the Vatican for a summit on human trafficking this week to... Read more

Caritas Spain is helping more than 2,000 women leave prostitution

Mar 16, 2016

According to a recent report from Caritas Spain, more than 2,200 women are receiving help in exiting prostitution thanks to... Read more

What you think you know about human trafficking is probably wrong

Feb 11, 2016

Human trafficking. It’s been called “modern-day slavery” and a “silent epidemic.” It affects tens of millions every year and yet... Read more

Catholic groups say this US bill could fight modern day slave labor

Aug 27, 2015

A proposed federal bill to combat human trafficking and forced labor in the corporate supply chain is an opportunity for... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the climate change and modern slavery workshop in Rome, Italy on June 21, 2015.

Vatican ropes in global leaders to fight climate change, modern slavery

Jul 26, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Drawing dozens of mayors from major cities worldwide to discuss the link between slavery and climate change, this week's Vatican... Read more

What you think you know about human trafficking is probably wrong

Jul 25, 2015

Human trafficking. It’s been called “modern-day slavery” and a “silent epidemic.” It affects tens of millions every year and yet... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the climate change and modern slavery meeting in Rome, Italy on June 21, 2015.

What Pope Francis might be planning to tell the UN in New York

Jul 22, 2015

By Elise Harris

At a meeting with U.S. mayors at the Vatican this week, Pope Francis hinted at themes he could discuss with... Read more