12.3 million in slavery as human trafficking expands

June 30, 2010

Catholic Relief Services, the US bishops’ humanitarian agency, has drawn attention to the US State Department’s recent annual report on human trafficking, which estimates that the number of “adults and children in forced labor, bonded labor, and forced prostitution around the world” is 12.3 million. The State Department recently honored Brother Xavier Passat, a French Dominican, for his efforts to combat human trafficking in Brazil.

 

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Further information:

• Human Trafficking Has Global Reach (Catholic Relief Services)
• Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 (US Department of State)
• Brazil: Xavier Plassat Honored for Efforts To Combat Trafficking In Persons (DipNote)