"Super Nuns" Fight Back
When human trafficking makes the news, law enforcement and policymakers often take center stage as leaders and heroes in anti-trafficking. But, with far less fanfare, one unexpected group has been implementing successful programs to not only prevent trafficking but to rehabilitate survivors: nuns. Talitha Kum, which loosely translates from Aramaic to "young girl, arise," is a Sister-led coalition that has been operating since 2009 and is present in 92 countries. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Girl Friday asks: What can we learn from nuns around the world?
There are links to poverty.
Mayra Cuellar, a Bolivian nun, told The New York Times that exploitation is "a difficult issue, because it’s so caught up with poverty.” In Canada, the Government of British Columbia concurs, noting that traffickers target people who are poor with fabricated opportunities that appear to improve their circumstances. Further, the government says communities that face "systemic barriers" to employment, housing, and education due to racism and colonialism are at risk.
Survivors need longterm assistance.
Nuns working in anti-trafficking believe in building coalitions. To help survivors start fresh, nuns partner with interfaith groups and work with governments, social workers, civil society organizations, and embassies. Leveraging these partnerships creates opportunities for survivors to obtain shelter, employment, and the necessary documentation for a new life. In Caserta, Italy, for example, nuns offer medical and psychological assistance and manage a safe house. As of 2015, they had sheltered approximately 370 women, largely from Nigeria, and offered employment through a sewing cooperative called NewHope.
#PrayAgainstTrafficking.
Sister Eugenia Bonetti, the coordinator of the Counter-Trafficking Office of the Italian Union of Major Superiors, believes that “traffickers are smart and organized,” and so “we have to be even more so.” Talitha Kum aims to meet the needs of today, shifting their strategies to focus proactively on traffickers' latest tactics. With that in mind, nuns have joined social media to amplify their advocacy efforts. In February 2020, their hashtag #PrayAgainstTrafficking trended at the top of the charts in Italy, tying with the hashtag of a beloved TV music event.
SUPER NUNS on Patreon. In 2020, with encouragement from communications giant Edelman, Talitha Kum launched SUPER NUNS on Patreon with the goal of reaching new audiences and sharing more stories. Given the sensitive nature of trafficking cases, they cannot share exact details and locations, but they work with artists to illustrate the spirit of their work. The Pope was their first Patreon supporter. If you become a patron, you will support their work, possibly win pieces of art, and have access to exclusive interviews.