Stella Maris chaplain describes impact of human trafficking on women

Apinya Tajit addresses UNESCO

A Stella Maris port chaplain who won the 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero Award has spoken about the long-lasting physical, emotional, psychological and sociological impact human trafficking has upon women and the effects it has on their roles in society.

Speaking at The Full Face of Humanity: Women in leadership for a just society, conference held in UNESCO Paris on October 27 and 28, Ms Apinya Tajit said: "Human trafficking continues to grow in staggering numbers around the world. The effects of this injustice are far reaching, impacting all individuals involved, their communities, and generations that follow. While the causes and effects are varied and multifaceted, sustainable change can happen if survivors are rescued, and their perpetrators are arrested."

The conference was organised by Caritas Internationalis and the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to UNESCO.

Ms Tajit, who is Stella Maris' Deputy Director in Chanthaburi Diocese, Thailand, and Committee Member of Caritas Thailand, has worked extensively and untiringly to support trafficked seafarers and fishers and their families. In July this year, she received the US Department of State 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero Award from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

In Thailand and around the world, Stella Maris is at the forefront of assisting victims of human trafficking, including helping in identifying victims, referring them to the appropriate agencies for legal and psychological support, providing immediate aftercare to them and their families rebuild their livelihoods, and raising awareness among local communities to the risks and dangers.

Ms Tajit said: "Human trafficking is still happening everywhere and not just in developing countries. It is not somebody else's problem, and it is not a fight that should just be left in the hands of the governments. Rather, it is up to each and every one of us to help end this modern slavery. Let us do what is right, not what is easy."

She added: "There are numerous ways individuals can help fight human trafficking in their own community, including bringing awareness to your social circles, volunteering with a local counter-trafficking organisation, being a friend to someone who is alone and vulnerable, and supporting frontline organisations such as Stella Maris and Caritas who work with authorities to find and free modern slaves and provide aftercare to survivors."

LINKS

Stella Maris: www.stellamaris.org.uk

Facebook: facebook.com/StellaMarisOrg

Twitter: @StellaMarisOrg

Instagram: instagram.com/stellamaris_uk/

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