February 19, 2018

Forum held to shine light on human trafficking

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

SPRINGFIELD – Human trafficking is a very real local concern, a speaker told 40 people gathered to learn more about the problem in western Massachusetts.

In a talk held on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Bishop Marshall Center at St. Michael’s Cathedral, following the 8:30 a.m. Mass, Sister of St. Joseph Denise Granger told attendees that the key to combating human trafficking is educating the public about the existence of the issue locally and helping people to recognize the warning signs.

Sister Granger was the guest speaker for a presentation on that topic sponsored by the Ladies of St. Peter Claver and the Office of the Black Catholic Apostolate.

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to control or lure a person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex or labor services against his or her will. 

“Our purpose in what I am doing today is to raise awareness about human trafficking because people are continuously surprised that it happens here. Springfield is ideally situated because traffickers are driving up and down the crossroads of I-91 and the Mass Pike,” said Sister Granger.

Sister Granger, the justice and peace coordinator of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, said a big concern of her community arose when it was discovered that MGM was going to build a casino in Springfield. Sister Granger also acknowledged that the MGM Company has signed a pledge to train their employees at the new casino in Springfield to recognize warning signs. MGM is also part of a newly formed business coalition to combat human trafficking.  

Sister Granger said she believes human trafficking is more serious than weapon or drugs sales. Human beings, she said, can be sold over and over again. During her presentation, she said the average age for a girl to be trafficked is 12 to 14 years old  and 11 to 13 for boys. She said it only takes three days after children run away to be approached for trafficking. Sister Granger said traffickers often look for runaways in bus stations. She said the problems that cause boys and girls to become runaways, such as poverty, are only getting worse.

“We are all God’s children and when any of them are treated this way, it is just wrong. And so doing anything you can to shine a light on human trafficking will help alleviate their suffering and their vulnerability,” said Sister Granger.

Sister Granger said common signs of trafficking are if a person is not free to leave or come and go; if they are underpaid or their money is confiscated; or if they work excessively long hours without breaks. She said police officers don’t want individuals to attempt to take action on their own if they notice suspicious activity because it could put them or the person being trafficked in danger. She said the correct action is to call police.

Sister Granger said her community will sponsor another event on the topic April 5 at Mont Marie in Holyoke.

Those interested in attending are asked to register by calling the Carew Street office at (413) 536-0853.

For a video version of this story, tune into an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television newsmagazine that airs Saturday evenings  at 7 on WWLP-22 NEWS