I am often inspired by the courage and resilience of victims and survivors of human trafficking, writes Sr Margaret Ng RSJ. Source: Global Sisters Report.
Australia has had a long history of human trafficking, beginning with “blackbirding” or the kidnapping of islanders to work on sugar plantations in Queensland, and the plight of the Stolen Generation of Indigenous Australians.
The death of Puangthong Simaplee at the Villawood Detention Centre in 2001 and the subsequent coroner’s inquest highlighted the existence of human trafficking here in Australia.
In 2004, I heard about the plight of Thai women who had been trafficked into Australia to be sex workers. Having just returned from Thailand, I felt a strong call to do something about the issue. This is very much in keeping with our Josephite charism as expressed in the words of our founder, St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
In 2005, I established the Josephite Counter-Trafficking Project to look at the issue of human trafficking here in Australia and to provide culturally sensitive holistic care, support and advocacy for victims and survivors of human trafficking. I was also one of four cofounders of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans – ACRATH.
Initially, visits were made to the Villawood Detention Centre, where I met women who had been victims of sexual and domestic servitude, debt bondage and forced marriage. I also met men and women who had been trafficked into the labour force.
With the help of Anti-Slavery Australia and the Federal Police, we helped one of the women to be released, and she was eventually granted a protection visa to stay in Australia.
In 2007, I was pleasantly surprised to be visited by two Salvation Army majors with the proposal to establish a safe house for trafficked women. This refuge began in 2008, providing supportive accommodation and case management.
I continue to be the only one allowed to visit the women, providing pastoral care. My multicultural and multifaith background, and the ability to speak Chinese, Malay and Indonesian in addition to English, have helped me in my accompaniment of survivors.
I am often inspired by their courage and resilience and, for some, their trust in divine providence as they continue their journey to self-worth and wholeness.
FULL STORY
In Australia, groups collaborate to fight human trafficking and to support survivors (By Sr Margaret Ng, Global Sisters Report)
