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 Grantee Highlight
Shedding Light on Disappearances
in Argentina
by Grace Garvey-Hall, Communications Intern
 | | An ACCT educator speaks to girls at a local elementary school about how to prevent human trafficking. Ninety-eight percent of sex trafficking victims are young girls and women. |
In Latin America,
victims of human trafficking are often referred to as "desaparecidos" or
"those who have disappeared." Because centers of human trafficking and sexual exploitation are
so difficult to uncover, victims seemingly
vanish without a trace.
Part of the reason this
is possible is because human traffickers are often involved in other crimes such as money laundering or drug trafficking, so they have pre-existing networks that are practiced in evading law enforcement officials. But unlike drugs, human beings can be sold more than once, which only increases incentive. In economic terms, human trafficking is a low risk crime that generates enormous profit. This is why in addition to being one of the most undetected crimes, human trafficking is also one of the most common.
Mary's Pence grantee Acciónes Coordinadas Contra la Trata (Coordinated Actions Against Human Trafficking) or ACCT is an interdisciplinary team based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It's formed by anthropologists, archaeologists, teachers, psychologists, lawyers, and other professionals who collaborate to battle human trafficking and increase the visibility of this crime. Their approach is unique in that it combines forensic anthropology, psychology, and education to tackle human trafficking from a variety of angles.
The ACCT forensic team works to identify potential human trafficking victims by comparing records of unidentified bodies in morgues and cemeteries with missing persons reports. Through DNA tests and finger print records, ACCT has helped solve cases of disappearances up to 20 years old. They have also started a database that collects data of alleged disappearances, unidentified bodies, and current and past human trafficking cases and other related crimes. According to Celeste Perosino, ACCT president, this data "will allow [ACCT] to establish public policies that can combat the phenomenon in a more direct way."
In one case a young girl who Perosino refers to as P.A. was reported missing. She had disappeared from her house in the middle of the night. A missing persons agency in the area suspected her case was related to a larger trafficking or child sexual exploitation ring and contacted ACCT. By looking at news sources, other missing persons cases, and interviewing neighbors and relatives, the ACCT team was able to deduce that P.A. had been kidnapped by traffickers. They were even able to identify other potential trafficking cases in the area. But ACCT didn't stop there. Continue reading here.
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Issue of Justice
On Freedom and Slavery in
Modern-Day U.S.
by Grace Garvey-Hall, Communications Intern
According to the ACCT handbook "Creando Cambios," freedom can be measured on a sliding scale. On one end is total freedom: the ability to choose between many good opportunities. On the other end is total bondage: no control and no options. In the middle are endless examples of individuals with more or fewer, better or worse options.
Lately, political discussions in the media suggest that many citizens of the United States today are worried about the government encroaching on their freedoms. However, these are often privileged discussions about first amendment rights that leave out other instances where liberty and justice are threatened. Concerns about issues of freedom that take away one of many options are legitimate and important. But, these conversations don't acknowledge the other side of the scale where liberty and justice are already threatened and do not exist. This newsletter focuses on those who truly have no liberty, victims of human trafficking.
Modern day slavery is a massive issue and it exists, not just in those countries that are afflicted by harsh dictators or undeveloped economies, but also in the United States. As people who live on the end of the scale that offers more and better options, it is our responsibility to make the choice to learn about and take action against modern day slavery, a true injustice in our communities.
Get in the Know
Human traffickers view people like drugs and weapons, as a commodity
 | | Printable flyer from the Polaris Project |
to be bought and sold in a marketplace. Though the name suggests that transportation must be involved, that is not always
the case. Anyone who is involved
in recruiting, transferring,
harboring, or receiving humans
can be defined as a trafficker.
They may use any means, including threat, force, coercion, deception, abduction, fraud, or abuse of power or vulnerability.
The end goal of trafficking is exploitation, either of labor or sex acts, which is why human trafficking is considered modern day slavery.
This doesn't just occur in developing nations. In 2013, 2,400 trafficking cases were reported in the United States alone. Reported, meaning this number doesn't
count cases that went unreported and traffickers that went unpunished. Sixty percent of trafficking victims world-wide are adults, and 77% of victims are female. That means anyone could be a victim of modern day slavery, men or women, adults or children. However, certain groups of people are typically more vulnerable. Continue reading here.
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Mary's Pence News
Involve Your Parish in the Work of Mary's Pence
Are you involved in the social justice ministry of your parish? Mary's Pence partners with parishes across the country to support social justice ministries. At Christmas time we have a comprehensive Giving Tree program packet. During Lent we offer Lenten Soup Supper prayer service packets. Does your parish have a tithing fund? Let Mary's Pence know so we can apply for funds to foster women's empowerment and economic autonomy! We are always open to new ideas and opportunities to work with you and your parish. See our website for more information or contact Katherine at katherine@maryspence.org or 651-788-9869.
Mary's Pence Featured on National Catholic Reporter!
Last month, National Catholic Reporter editor, Dennis Coday, featured Mary's Pence on his blog. In the post, Coday was exploring whether the Vatican's annual collection, Peter's Pence, would increase in revenue with the popularity of Pope Francis. Coday included Mary's Pence in the article as a viable alternative for those who choose not to give to the Peter's Pence fund and who want to support sustainable development. You can read the full post here.
We Love to Meet Our Supporters!
Do you live in the Nashville, Twin Cities, or Memphis area? Then come visit Mary's Pence at the following upcoming events. Up to date information about these events will be posted on our events page.
August 13-16, 2014 - Nashville, TN
Mary's Pence will be exhibiting at the LCWR Assembly and hosting a wine and cheese reception on August 14, 2014 from 5-8pm at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. If you are attending the conference please visit our exhibit, and let others know we will be present.
Mary's Pence Board-Sponsored House Party
October 25, 2014 - St. Paul, MN
The Mary's Pence board will be meeting in St. Paul, MN in October and they want to meet you, our Mary's Pence supporters! The board will be sponsoring a house party on Summit Avenue, right near the river, and overlooking Minnesota's beautiful Fall colors. Stay tuned - address and time details to be announced.
November 7-9, 2014 - Memphis, TN
Mary's Pence will be exhibiting at the conference, hosting a wine and cheese reception, and giving a workshop entitled, "Making Moral Economic Systems." The workshop will feature Mary's Pence Executive Director, Katherine Wojtan, ESPERA Facilitator, Gilda Larios, and Vicki Meath, Executive Director of Mary's Pence grantee, Just Economics.
We hope to see you at one, or all, of these venues - stay tuned for more details!
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We envision a world where empowered women and their communities flourish in solidarity and justice. Mary's Pence invests in women across the Americas by funding community initiatives and fostering collaborations to create social change.
Imaginamos un mundo en el cual, las mujeres empoderadas y sus comunidades, florezcan en solidaridad y justicia. Mary's Pence invierte en iniciativas comunitarias de mujeres en las Américas y fomenta la colaboración para crear cambio social.
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Reflection
Caged Bird
A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
til the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
- Maya Angelou
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