VATICAN - unite forces to inform, educate and act: 1st International Meeting for Pastoral Care and Liberation of Street Women issues final statement

Monday, 11 July 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Include questions concerning sexual exploitation, trafficking and smuggling of human persons among matters discussed during Bishops’ ad limina visits; promote in schools and parishes programmes of education in sexuality, reciprocal respect and healthy inter-personal relations in the light of the Word of God and the moral teaching of the Church; reinforce the network of the realities involved in pastoral care in this field: these are some of the recommendations listed in the final document issued at the end of the 1st International Meeting for Pastoral Care and Liberation of Street Women organised by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples held in the Vatican 20 and 21 June.
The Document recalls that the question of sexual abuse of women and minors concerns the whole of society not only the women involved; that it is necessary to focus attention on the “client” as an element of the “consumer” system at the root of the sex trade and that society has the duty to offer alternative resources to support people who want to “abandon the street”.
The document, which is a summary of two days of intense work, underscores that “prostitution is a form of modern slavery” and it is increasing. Many street women prostitutes in the 1st world, come from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th world. In Europe and elsewhere many are victims of trafficking from other countries to meet the growing demand of “consumers”. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that at present 12.3 million people are enslaved in forced labour and that of these about 2.4 million are victims of human trafficking, a phenomenon which brings the organisers and annual income - it is said - of ten billion US dollars.
The meeting also outlined the figure of the “victim” of this trade: a human person who in many cases cries for help because selling her body on the street is not something she has chosen to do. She desires human relationships, love, security, affirmation, a better future for herself and her family. She wants to escape poverty and the lack of opportunities to succeed and to build a future for herself. “Clients” also have deeply rooted problems and in a sense they too are slaves. Most are over 40 but a growing number of young men aged 16 to 24 are involved. Analysis shows that more and more men look for a prostitute to experience total dominion and control over the woman more than sexual pleasure. This means “clients” must receive more than just social condemnation and lawful punishment, they also need help to solve their deep lying difficulties.
The task of the Church in this sensitive context is to promote the dignity of people exploited through prostitution, foster their liberation also offering economic support, education and formation. The Church must also denounce injustices and violence against street women in every place and every circumstance, calling for respect for human dignity and an end to sexual abuse. It is necessary to increase solidarity in the Church and among religious congregations, lay movements, institutions and associations to give more “visibility” and attention to pastoral care for women who are being exploited. There is also a need of programmes to form pastoral workers and to develop competence and strategies to fight prostitution and human trafficking. The document includes a series of suggestions with regard to the activity of the Church, Bishops’ Conferences, religious Institutes and the questions of education, services and relations with the people involved. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/7/2005, righe 45, parole 660)


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