Catholic Conference of Ohio
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Issues - Catholic Conference of Ohio

Human Trafficking

 

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to force, fraud, or coercion, for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. Trafficking in persons inherently rejects the dignity of the human person and exploits conditions of global poverty.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio believes it is important for Ohio to continue strengthening protections for victims of human trafficking. We support legislation that strives to end the demand for human trafficking.  

The Catholic Church will continue to provide pastoral care, education and advocacy regarding human trafficking. We welcome efforts that enhance state, national and international cooperation and enforcement.

Catholic Teachings

The Catholic Church has condemned human trafficking and has developed social service programs to serve and protect its survivors.

During Vatican II, the Catholic Church reaffirmed its historic concern about forced labor, stating that “slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children, [and] disgraceful working conditions where [people] are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons” are “infamies” and “an affront to fundamental values. . . values rooted in the very nature of the human person.”

In the 2006 annual statement on migration, entitled “Migrations: A Sign of the Times,” Pope Benedict XVI deplored the “trafficking of human beings—especially women—which flourishes where opportunities to improve their standard of living or even to survive are limited.”

Pope John Paul II, in a letter on the occasion of the International Conference on “Twenty-First-Century Slavery—the Human Rights Dimension to Trafficking in Human Beings,” stated that human trafficking “constitutes a shocking offense against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights. In particular, the sexual exploitation of women and children is a particularly repugnant aspect of this trade, and must be recognized as an intrinsic violation of human dignity and human rights.”

The Catholic bishops of the United States and Mexico have also spoken out on the issue, calling upon the governments of the United States and Mexico to work together to apprehend traffickers and destroy trafficking networks: “Both governments must vigilantly seek to end trafficking in human persons. . . . Together, both governments should more effectively share information on trafficking operations and should engage in joint action to apprehend and prosecute traffickers.

Adapted from On Human Trafficking, a resource developed by the Committee on Migration of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Pope Francis wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation entitled The Joy of the Gospel:

"I have always been distressed at the lot of those who are victims of various kinds of human trafficking. How I wish that all of us would hear God’s cry: “Where is your brother?” (Gen 4:9). Where is your brother or sister who is enslaved? Where is the brother and sister whom you are killing each day in clandestine warehouses, in rings of prostitution, in children used for begging, in exploiting undocumented labour? Let us not look the other way. There is greater complicity than we think. The issue involves everyone! This infamous network of crime is now well established in our cities, and many people have blood on their hands as a result of their comfortable and silent complicity." #221


PRAYER FOR AN END TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Oh God, we didn't see them.

But you did-

The hundreds and thousands of human beings trafficked each year to join the millions who are trapped in modern-day slavery.

Under terrible conditions, they work in factories, plow fields, harvest crops, work quarries, fill brothels, clean homes, and haul water.

Many are children with tiny fingers for weaving rugs and small shoulders for bearing rifles.

Their labor is forced, their bodies beaten, their faces hidden from those who don't really want to see them.

But you see them all, God of the poor.

You hear their cry and you answer by opening our eyes, and breaking our hearts and loosening our tongues to insist:

No mas. No more.

Amen


 

Ohio Legislature Passes Two More Life-Affirming Bills

Telemedicine Abortion Ban; Further Protections for Survivors of Human Trafficking Go to Governor for Signature

SB 260, the Telemedicine Abortion Ban, passed the Ohio General Assembly. This legislation would prohibit the use of telemedicine for the purpose of providing abortion-inducing drugs and ensure that these drugs could only be provided in-person by the prescribing physician. Senator Stephen Huffman sponsored this legislation.

HB 431, includes the Protect Trafficked Minors Act. The amended bill passed both Houses. This legislation removes the arbitrary, two-tiered system of treating 16 and 17 year olds differently than other children who are survivors of human trafficking. Senator Teresa Fedor has been a long-time champion of this legislation.

U. S. Bishops Approve Additions to Teaching Document on Political Responsibility

A short introductory letter and five short video scripts approved to supplement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship"

An introductory letter  addressing current issues of the day and references to the teachings of Pope Francis was approved by USCCB to supplement  the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' existing document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. The letter affirms the "richness" that our faith brings to the public square, and addresses challenges that have become more pronounced:

"Pope Francis has continued to draw attention to important issues such as migration, xenophobia, racism, abortion, global conflict, and care for creation. In the United States and around the world, many challenges demand our attention.

The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed. At the same time, we cannot dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty."

Introductory Letter

Introductory Letter References to Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation Rejoice and Be Glad #25, #101

Anti - Human Trafficking Legislation - SB 13- Passes Senate

Action Expected in House in the Fall of 2019

Human trafficking is a horrific crime against the basic dignity and rights of the human person.  The Catholic Conference of Ohio urges passage of SB 13.

The  Conference has testified that it is important for Ohio to continue strengthening protections for victims of human trafficking.  SB 13 will mirror federal law and apply the same human trafficking offense to all victims under age 18. It will provide another helpful provision to address the scourge of human trafficking. 

The bill passed the Senate the bill in July, 2019.  It is expected to be heard in the House in the Fall of 2019.

 

Ohio House Considers State Budget: HB 166

Action expected by early May

HB 166: State Budget
House Budget Language
Governor's Proposal
LSC Analysis



Catholic Conference of Ohio Budget Backgrounders

Health and Human Services
Defend and Protect Human Life
Promote Care for Creation
Support Families Who Choose Catholic Schools

Catholic Conference of Ohio Page on the State Budget

Catholic Conference of Ohio Urges Support for the "Protect Trafficked Minors Act": SB 13

Bill will help protect children up to age 18 from human traffickers

The Catholic Conference of Ohio supports passage of SB 13, the "Protect Trafficked Minors Act". This bill will help protect minors up to age 18 years old from being “trafficked”. Currently, only children up to age 16 years old are fully protected under Ohio law. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Catholic Conference of Ohio believes it is important for Ohio to continue strengthening protections for victims of human trafficking. SB 13 provides yet another series of helpful changes. Such changes will help ensure that minors up to age 18 will have a greater degree of protection under Ohio law.

Sponsor Testimony from Senator Teresa Fedor

Catholic Conference of Ohio Action Alert

Human Trafficking Awareness Day February 28, 2019

Ohio Statehouse

The 10th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day at the Ohio Statehouse brings together advocates from around the state with one mission: ending human trafficking. This year's focus will be on the opioid crisis, and how it impacts and elevates the risk of human trafficking in Ohio.

Featuring a keynote address from Erik L. Bauer, an attorney from Tacoma, Washington who, in a nationwide precedent setting case ended immunity for Backpage.com on behalf of two 7th grade clients and one 9th grade client being sold on the webpage to as many as 20 adult sex customers per day, the 10th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day is an opportunity to learn from and share best practices with Ohio's leaders on the issue.

2019 Human Trafficking Report: Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force

Ohio's 132nd General Assembly Winding Down

Possible vetoes will determine the fate of several life-related legislation

The Ohio Legislature is expected to return on December 19 and December 27 to wrap up the 132nd General Assembly.  Legislation not passed by January 1, 2019, must be reintroduced in the next Assembly. Much will depend upon whether the House and Senate will attempt to override any Governor vetoes (including vetoes made in the 2017 budget bill).  The Governor has indicated that he may veto the Heartbeat bill (HB 258), the gun bill (HB 228) and the pay raise bill (SB 296).  The Senate needs 20 votes to override; the House needs 60. 

 

Conference Urges Support for Ohio Legislation Further Protecting Victims of Human Trafficking

"Protect Trafficked Minors Act" Protects Victims Up to Age 18

HB 461, the Protect Trafficked Minors Act, sponsored by Representative Fedor (D - Toledo) and  Representative Galonski (D - Akron), would mirror Ohio law with federal law in cases involving the human trafficking of minors aged 16 and 17-years-old. This bill will increase the penalties for people who traffic 16 and 17-year-olds. Additionally, HB 461 will require a juvenile court to appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor child if the court has reason to believe that the crime charged is prostitution or human trafficking-related. The bill is pending in the House Criminal Justice Committee.

Conference Resources

 

Contact Your House Representative and urge support for the Protect Trafficked Minors Act, HB 461.

Resources on Human Trafficking

To report a trafficking tip, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888, a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.


 



 

Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force


 

 

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS 
TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER, REFLECTION AND ACTION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
February 12, 2018


 

 

 

 

The Amistad Movement is a human trafficking education and awareness campaign for immigrant communities. It is an initiative of the Anti-Trafficking Program of the Migration and Refugee Services Department of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


 

 

 

 

The SHEPHERD Campaign is a campaign to help Catholics learn more about human trafficking, as well as work with their parish community to address this issue.