Children

The ‘cycle of abuse’, we’ve all heard the phrase a million times, yet I often think we forget what it means. It does not only mean the cycle, or stages, in which abuses are carried out. A child who grows up in an abusive home, is sexually abused, is a victim of trafficking, a child soldier…unfortunately the list of grave injustices against children goes on and on, is never able to escape the cycle of abuse. Therefore a child of abuse is at an increased risk to become an abuser, victim of sexual assault, become socially isolated, turn to drugs and alcohol, and various other form of self destructive behavior or susceptible to varying forms of continued abuse. We, as an international community must work to ensure that all children have been given their right to protection, both to prevent such abuses, and to assist the abused in their recovery. Therefore substantial physical and psychological care must be given to victims.

No matter what you say, or what you do, it all leaves a mark on the children around you. A child who witnesses violence and war, is forever scared by what they see. A child who hears nothing but negative, cannot erase the voice that says, “you can’t”. But the child who witnesses peace and love, will carry that with them forever and continue to share hope for the future.

We cannot erase the mistakes of the past, but we can leave a bigger impression on a child with hope, than with despair.

This week I spoke with Julianne Duncan, Associate Director for Children’s Services, with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Migration and Refugee Services, about the issues facing child trafficking victims in the United States. The USCCB and the Catholic church have been a strong proponent of migrant rights since the early days of US history when Catholic immigrants where being met with great hardship and public distance. It has been an international priority for the Catholic Church to speak up for immigrant rights, and they see it as their responsibility to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, and therefore program priorities are to access funding and use church funding for those who have no one to care for them. “Most vulnerable of the migrants are those who cannot depend on their own countries support and protections. Refugees or trafficking victims….we speak heavily….most vulnerable of those are unaccompanied children.”

When did USCCB get involved in the fight to combat trafficking, and what prompted the church to get so involved? “Trafficking has been policy priority since at least the mid 90s. USCCB, has been interested and concerned in the trafficking around the world as well as within the US, and was one of the original agencies that advocated and pushed through the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) in 2000.” The USCCB has been helping victims of trafficking from Eastern Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, through three federally funded programs. Programs include a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement, and two grants to raise awareness on trafficking from the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime, to raise awareness about the issue of trafficking and serve the victims.

In January of 2003, the USCCB and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) received funding for a Trafficked Child Placement and Technical Assistance Program, which places children, including trafficked children, in Unaccompanied Refugee Minor programs. “Through these programs, trafficked children are able to receive culturally and linguistically appropriate care, including mental health services, intensive case management, and education.” In addition USCCB and LIRS offer specialized assistance and training for service providers of trafficked children.

Most recently, the USCCB has been contracted for a National Services Contract for Victims of Human Trafficking. The contract gives the USCCB the ability to subcontract with local organizations to provide comprehensive case management services to adults and pre-eligible children who are survivors of human trafficking, as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. USCCB/MRS provides coordination, training, per capita funding, and monitoring to subcontractors, and partners with Project REACH and Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) to provide technical assistance to the subcontractors serving human trafficking survivors.

The USCCB is also part of the Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking, other member organizations include Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, Covenant House, and many others. The Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking woks to develop plans to combat trafficking, increase aid to victims, work with policy makers, provide public advocacy and education.

According to Ms. Duncan, “trafficking victims are in a precarious position”, which is due to their immigration status, high level of vulnerability, and in regards to children their often inability to speak up for themselves. The USCCB aims to get more policy and advocacy for victims, and gives “equal importance to advocacy and policy, as to program services”.

Please read my next post, tomorrow, July 11, which will contain more information on USCCB and child trafficking, as Ms. Duncan answers a number of detailed key questions.

Links:
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against Human Trafficking
Guidance for Identifying a Child Victim of Trafficking
Frequently Asked Questions About Services to Trafficked Children
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000
Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Fact Sheet
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) of the US Department of Health and Family Services - Administration for Children and Families
The Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking