many of the articles on this page contain interesting links that are worth following
ACRATH forms new national committee (pathways, March 2009)

Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (
ACRATH) has formed a national committee from its annual meeting in Melbourne earlier this year. Sr Stancea Vichie MSS
(pictured) has taken over from Sr Pauline Coll SGS as the chairperson. Other members are: secretary, Sr Mary Mooney CSB, treasurer, Sr Janet Palafox IBVM, NSW representative, Sr Suzette Clark RSC, Qld representative, Sr Pauline Coll SGS, Vic representative, Ms Christine Carolan.
ACRATH has dedicated website (pathways, December 08)
National ACRATH Chair Sr Pauline Coll SGS and all those involved with the
new Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans website have been congratulated by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. With red, black and white the predominat colours, it is a dramatic site with a contemporary presentation in keeping with the nature and urgency of its subject matter. Its clean, uncluttered design belies the depth and breadth of information contained on the site.
The work of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans has received a double boost in recent weeks. (pathways, November 08)
The face of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH), Sr Pauline Coll SGS, has been personally recognised for her work by the Soroptimist International Brisbane City Club while ACRATH has received significant NGO funding from the Federal Government - $250,000 as part of a $1 million grant from the Proceeds of Crime Act coffers.
FOR MORE MEDIA ARTICLES, PLEASE SEE LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
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statement to the world issued by INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF RELIGIOUS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (INRATIP) Institute of Maria SS Bambina, Rome: October 19, 2007. This meeting was attended by Sr Pauline Coll SGS, of Brisbane.
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In 2001 the International Union of Superiors General officially declared its commitment to
address at every level the abuse and sexual exploitation of women and children, with particular attention to the trafficking of women which has become a lucrative multinational business.
In May 2004 this commitment was re-affirmed:
We will intensify our efforts as bearers of reconciliation in the world, to eradicate the trafficking of women and children.
GLOBALLY ...
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Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a $10 billion "industry".
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TIP is the second largest source of income globally after trafficking in drugs.
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Between 700,000 and two million persons are trafficked globally each year.
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Women, men and children are trafficked for many purposes.
Reported COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN for Australia: Thailand, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, unspecified Asian countries and unspecified South-Eastern Asian countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Colombia, Fiji, Iraq, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Sri Lanka, unspecified Central and South Eastern Europe, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam. (Trafficking in Persons Global Patterns, April 2006 UNODC Report)
ACRATH - Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans - is a national organisation comprised of members of many different Religious Congregations and a number of consultant experts.
Its aim is to make a stand against all forms of trafficking in humans. It has a working group of 20 people, who are actively campaigning against
trafficking on three fronts:
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Lobbying for Visa Reform for persons found to be trafficked
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Raising awareness about trafficking by community and school education programmes
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Supporting those who have been trafficked by supporting safe housing here in Australia and in repatriation programmes
Members actively lobby parliamentarians on Trafficking issues and are available to speak to school and community groups.
SLAVERY TODAY: Trafficking in persons is considered a form of modern-day slavery and one of the most pressing human rights issues facing the world today.
JOINT STATEMENT: This report has been prepared on behalf of NGOs in three countries: Thailand, Cambodia and Australia which have developed a network to focus on trafficking of women with the aim of promoting the human rights of trafficked women.
FURTHER ARTICLES FROM PATHWAYS
Looking to the future (April 2008)
ACRATH, Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans, has started the year by looking at ways of ensuring the future continuance of the work. The article also mentions WYD 08, lobbying in Canberra in September and, internationally,
Congress 2008: Women Religious in Network Against Trafficking in Persons. There are several worthwhile links.
Film of the Year (February 08)
The Jammed takes out Film of the Year (and includes some brief news updates)
Do not give up hope! (November 2007)
In Rome, Religious women beg those who are trafficked not to give up hope; while from Brisbane, we see the power of one Grade 12 student.
Australian best-practice on show in Rome (October 07)
Australia's best practices in the work against trafficking in persons (TIP) will be presented to an international gathering of women Religious, in Rome,
this month.
films: the Jammed (September 07)
They were promised a new life in the lucky country ...
the Jammed, a social thriller, inspired by actual events and Australian court transcripts, delves into the dark world of modern-day slavery ...
More formal structure for Asia-Pacific anti-trafficking network
The Good Shepherd Asia-Pacific Anti-Trafficking Network has a more formal structure following a five-day workshop in Cebu City, Philippines, in July.
Problems on Batam
During the Cebu meeting, a group of about 20 people gathered to explore the issues of trafficking on Batam.
New organisation forms
A new organisation, Asia Pacific Women Religious Against Trafficking in Humans, APWRATH, has formed from a meeting on Panglao Island, Bohol, also in July.
CRA National Assembly 2007 (July 2007)
Sr Pauline Coll SGS - Chair of ACRATH - reports that following the Assembly 2006 public action on the issue of Trafficking in Humans, awareness of the issue has continued to grow among many Religious, their associates and partners in ministry as networking extends through Australia and internationally...
media release: CRA pledges to work against trafficking in humans (July 4)
CRA formally accepts the challenge to work against the trafficking of women, children and men.
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