WINSTON-SALEM — The evil of human trafficking affects tens of millions of people globally. While January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Feb. 8 feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, a victim of slavery and the patron saint of human trafficking victims, is also a time for Catholics to reflect and pray for victims of this crime. A Feb. 21 workshop in Winston-Salem will give attendees that opportunity.
The United States – including North Carolina – is not immune to this global crime. Tens of thousands of victims across the U.S. are sexually trafficked, and an even larger number suffer under labor trafficking. Both law enforcement and non-profit and governmental agencies combating the issue agree that this crime largely goes unreported, with activities remaining in the shadows in our communities.
Project Light Rowan is a Salisbury-based organization that raises awareness about human trafficking in North Carolina, supports survivors, and through educational events and direct action seeks “to see human trafficking stomped out.” Catholic Charities shares this organization’s work through education events, like one held last November at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury.
On Friday, Feb. 21, there will be another opportunity to hear about Project Light’s work, starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Catholic Charities Office, located at 1612 E. 14th St. in Winston-Salem. The program, “Stop Human Trafficking – Learn and Take Action,” will begin with a sandwich lunch, followed by a noon presentation by Dr. Jim Duncan, Project Light president and founder. This free presentation will share the realities of human trafficking in the state and focus on ways to stop this crime.
Register to attend by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Wednesday, Feb. 19. More information is online at www.ccdoc.org/education.
Because of the subject matter, it is recommended that attendees be at least 16 years old.
Catholic Charities has a volunteer Human Trafficking Awareness Committee that works in liaison with the U.S. Catholic Sisters-sponsored Alliance to End Human Trafficking. Chaired by Catholic Charities volunteer Kara Griffin, a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, this committee has developed a webpage with many resources on the topic at www.ccdoc.org/humantrafficking.
— Joseph Purello is director of Social Concerns and Advocacy for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.
More online
Catholic Charities volunteer Human Trafficking Awareness Committee: www.ccdoc.org/humantrafficking
Learn more about St. Josephine Bakhita: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-josephine-bakhita/
Learn more about U.S human trafficking: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/statistics
Learn more about NC human trafficking: https://www.nccourts.gov/commissions/human-trafficking-commission