Now that summer-time travel is at its busiest, UNICEF in the United States of America, alert us to the findings in their Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism, conducted in 2016, specifically,  ‘’offenders include both domestic and international travellers of varying ages, races, and genders.’’

The study reminds us to be alert to the fact that children from all backgrounds and genders are especially vulnerable to sexual exploitation in the context of travel and/or tourism. Indigenous children, displaced children and children living in poverty were found to be especially at risk.  

Full Study is available at http://globalstudysectt.org/global-report/

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

The Annual Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network of England and Wales, takes place on 21-23 July at the Hayes Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire, UK. This year’s theme is ‘’A Sabbath for the Earth and the Poor: The Challenge of Pope Francis.’’

The keynote speaker is Fr. Peter Hughes, an Irish Columban priest who has spent five decades as a missionary in Latin America. Fr. Hughes will draw upon his witness there to highlight the symbiotic relationship between combating poverty and protecting the natural world.

The interconnectedness of all our actions, is a central and recurring theme of the Conference and one which is aligned to the Sunday Gospel of 23^rd July, with the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast. In both parables,  the natural agents (seed and yeast) once set in motion,  work away on their own, quietly and oblivious to the other. But through the intervention of human agency (planting and kneading), both agents come fully into their own. Amongst the lessons we learn from the parables is that of the value of inter-dependence. The garden and kitchen settings of the parables remind us that it is in our ordinary, everyday lives, relationships and activities, that we need to be alert to the possibilities of prevention of human trafficking and the exploitation of others.

Workshops to be held during the weekend, include Care for Creation; Sustainable Agriculture; Mining; Indigenous People; Stigmatisation of the Poor; Divestment from Fossil Fuels; Archbishop Romero; Volunteering and much more. There will also be a workshop on Modern Slavery.

For further information: http://www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/

Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications person.

In a proactive response to an increase in the incidences of modern slavery, Hertsmere Borough Council recently voted to initiate a human trafficking awareness-raising campaign, with a view to helping ‘’…end modern slavery and human trafficking and raise awareness in the community.’’

So far this year, 37 modern slavery cases have been reported to the Hertfordshire constabulary, a significant increase from 26 reported cases in 2016.

Councillors have received training from Operation Tropic, the police anti-trafficking team and are committed to supporting multi-agency actions to collaborate in prevention and awareness-raising.

A series of community awareness events are planned to take place in August and the police anti-trafficking team will be present at a number of the events, where they hope their presence will encourage active engagement and participation from members of the general public.

For more, please see www.hertsmere.gov.uk/modernslavery.

Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.