WCC Public Policy Positions: Stop Domestic Abuse and Human Trafficking
Here we elaborate on each of the WCC's 2023 Public Policy Positions. The complete document can be found below.
Stop domestic abuse and human trafficking. No human being should be abused or enslaved. Wisconsin must give all persons experiencing domestic abuse and human trafficking ready access to services that can assist them in escaping their situation and rebuilding their lives.
Catholic social teaching proclaims the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of all human life. Each person is made in the image and likeness of God and has inherent worth. As each gift of life deserves to be protected and nurtured, we each have a responsibility to fight against abuse, violence, and violation or degradation of our brothers and sisters.
Domestic abuse and human trafficking directly reject the dignity and fundamental rights of the human person. The Church speaks out forcefully against slavery. “Modern-day slavery—where men, women, and children are bought and sold like merchandise—inherently rejects this principle, showing absolute contempt for human beings.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2414).
All too often, abuse and trafficking survivors are hidden from our sight and suffer in silence. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 2022, Pope Francis called for an end to violence against women in particular and a need to take concrete action to bring it to light: “We need to unite, collaborate, network, and what we need is not just a defensive network, but above all a preventive network! This is always crucial when trying to eliminate a social scourge which is also linked to cultural attitudes, mentalities and deep-rooted prejudices” (Vatican News).
In the USCCB statement, On Human Trafficking, the bishops declare: “Human trafficking is a horrific crime against the basic dignity and rights of the human person. All efforts must be expended to end it. In the end, we must work together—Church, state, and community—to eliminate the root causes and markets that permit traffickers to flourish; to make whole the survivors of this crime; and to ensure that, one day soon, trafficking in human persons vanishes from the face of the earth.”
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