Opposing Human Trafficking

Before introducing the content of this microsite, invite the students to reflect on their current understanding of human trafficking.

Reflection questions could include:
- What do you know about this issue?
- What would you like to know about this issue?
- Why might it be important for you to know about this issue?
- What are your feelings about this issue?
- How does this issue impact on you personally and on your country?
- What do the terms ‘human trafficking’, ‘slavery’, ‘exploitation’, ‘people smuggling’, 'forced labour' mean?

Step 1: Story

Read the stories of Ana and Anne, or another you have sourced

Ask the students to reflect on the entire story using questions such as the following:
- What are the issues for Ana or Anne and the others in this story?
- What are the issues for you as a viewer, as a citizen, as a member of the global community?
- What are the obstacles and struggles people in this story are facing?
- What are the possibilities for change?

Step 2: Context

The United Nations estimates that an estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labour (including sexual exploitation) at any given time as a result of trafficking, 161 countries are reported to be affected by human trafficking by being a source, transit or destination count, that the majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age with an estimated 1.2 million children trafficked each year. Data Source

Ask the students to use the various resources about human trafficking on the ACRATH website and in the Fact File above  to write 3 statements about the situation of trafficked peoples -
e.g.human trafficking is a global problem.
Invite the students to share their writing with the class.
Ask the students:
- What important questions do you now find yourself asking as a result of your knowledge about the context?

 Step 3: Inspiration

Guide the students through  key texts from scripture ( eg Gen 1:27; Deut 10: 17-19; Is 49:12-15; Micah 4: 1-2; Mt: 5:7; Lk 15 1-4) , the writings from Catherine McAuley and the other Mercy sources (in Background), and the examples from Mercy today (in Updates), keeping their personal (critical) questions in mind.

Ask the students:
- What insight/inspiration/support do these texts offer you in response to this issue?
- What understanding about the mercy of God do these Scripture texts give you?
- What insights do these Mercy texts offer you about Catherine McAuley and what it means to be a person
of compassion and mercy?

 Step 4: Action

Ask the students to consider and to share what personal and/or communal response they can make to this issue in light of what they now know and understand (see Take Action)

Reflection questions could include:
- What do you now understand about the issue of human trafficking?
- What impact has this had on you?
- What action/s will you now take about this issue?
- What difference will your action/s make to you and to others?

Further Resources

ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans) has developed an education resource for secondary (second level) students. The resource can be accessed online here