Human Trafficking: A Crime Against Humanity
Founding members of the Tri-State Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Slavery: Front row: Sister Marie Barth, PBVM; Sister Irene Lukefahr, BVM; Sister Mira Mosle, BVM; Sister Diane Rapozo, BVM; Back row: Sister Joy Peterson, PBVM; Sister Mary Lechtenburg, OSF.
by Beth Kress, PBVM
Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society,
a scourge upon the body of Christ. It is a crime against humanity.
—Pope Francis
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Tri-State Coalition Against Human Trafficking and Slavery (Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois). Established in 2014 by Catholic women religious in the Dubuque area, the coalition now includes over 20 women and men from the tri-state community, including members from the Sisters of Mercy (RSM), Sisters of Charity (BVM), Sisters of the Presentation (PBVM), Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa (OP) and Sisters of St. Francis (OSF).
“Ten years ago, women religious gathered to address human trafficking in the Dubuque area and spent countless hours developing an effective approach to eradicate this evil,” comments Sister Joy Peterson, PBVM. “Our initial efforts focused on raising awareness in the community, countering the misconception that trafficking only happens in distant large cities or impoverished countries. These early efforts have grown into a well-respected program of awareness-raising, advocacy, and outreach to end human trafficking in the tri-state area.”
“Our first year involved educating ourselves about human trafficking, presenting our organization to various groups, and forming committees. We trained nurses, teachers, bus and truck drivers, advocated for anti-trafficking bills, and wrote to legislators urging them to pass laws to eradicate human trafficking,” shares Sister Diane Rapozo, BVM.
“Over the past 10 years, we have given presentations to various groups, trained hotel workers, educated teachers, school staff and parents, informed bus drivers, and sponsored a bus wrap for three years. We visited businesses to explain Businesses Against Trafficking (I-BAT). There is still much work to be done,” states Sister Irene Lukefahr, BVM.
Sister Marilou Irons, PBVM, adds, “Collaborating with other area organizations, the Tri-state Coalition connects with Iowa businesses, hospitality industry, church and civic groups, and libraries, among others. We train employees of businesses and staff information booths at farmers’ markets, Juneteenth celebrations, and the Dubuque County Fair.”
The coalition sponsored a January 2023 conference and worked with local city councils to proclaim January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. They also purchased area billboards with awareness messages. In 2022, the coalition received a Volunteer Service Award from the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking. They are also members of the Alliance to End Human Trafficking.
“Our mission is to raise awareness and educate the community on what to look for regarding human trafficking. Many people have heard of it but still have questions. We have provided numerous informational presentations to groups of all sizes,” states Sister Mary Lechtenberg, OSF. “I have great compassion for the victims and survivors who are deceived and trapped into a life they never planned on.”
Educating all ages in the community about the signs of human trafficking and slavery is central to the coalition’s mission. Human trafficking involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for involuntary labor or services through force, fraud, or coercion for exploitation.
“When I joined the coalition, I knew little about the issue, but I have since learned and contributed at both local and state levels,” says Deborah Albert. “Human trafficking involves the buying and selling of people as commodities. Eliminating this crime requires a community with diverse skills. Our group volunteers engage in raising awareness, advocate for stricter laws, and collaborate with law enforcement and social services.”
Networking reaches out to local and state governments. “Our efforts to train hotel and motel employees led Iowa state legislator Chuck Isenhart to propose mandatory training for all hospitality sites doing business with the state,” explains Sister Mira Mosle, BVM. “With the passage of this legislation, the Department of Public Safety now provides the necessary resources and accreditation, resulting in hundreds of hotels and motels taking this online training.”
The small “seed” planted in the tri-state area has borne fruit on a much larger scale. “When we started, people would stop at our table at the county fair and say, ‘That doesn’t happen here,’” recalls Sister Marie Barth, PBVM. “Now, people not only acknowledge the need for awareness but share actual incidents of trafficking.”
“The impact stretches beyond the tri-states,” shares Sister Reg McKillip, OP. “The Sinsinawa Dominicans’ anti-trafficking group in Madison has benefitted from the Tri-State Coalition. They have been a valuable resource for us in planning our educational programs, working on bus wraps,and having a table at farmers’ markets in Madison.”
Human trafficking, a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry, affects over 40 million people worldwide. It ranks among the top three global crimes alongside drug trafficking and illegal weapons trade. It occurs everywhere, including every state in the United States, affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and classes.
Ending human trafficking requires everyone’s help. Whether through prayer, education, advocacy, survivor services or financial support, you can make a difference.
If you see or hear something suspicious, call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or your local law enforcement at 911. Do not risk harm to yourself or the victim by approaching the suspected trafficker. To learn more about the coalition or to schedule a presentation, email tscaht@gmail.com.
To learn more, visit: https://humantraffickingiowawil.com/