Talitha Kum

Talitha Kum (or the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking in Persons) is an organization of Catholic women established by the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) in 2009.[1] The group works to end human-trafficking and is based in Rome.[2] The name comes from the expression found in the Gospel of Mark and is Aramaic, meaning, "Maiden, I say to you, arise."[3] The organization is considered a Catholic charity,[4] and operates as a network with many different groups.[5][6] The former coordinator of Talitha Kum is Sister Estrella Castalone,[7][8] and Sister Gabriella Bottani is the current head of the organization.[9][8] John Studzinski chairs the group.[10]

For other uses, see Talitha kum.
Sister Estrella Castalone, head of Talitha Kum in 2011.

History

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) started developing a program between 2004 and 2008, which created regional networks against trafficking in nine countries around the world.[8] The idea to create a group which became Talitha Kum started in 2007 when Catholic women leaders discovered that rates of human trafficking was increasing.[11] Talitha Kum was formally created in 2009 and brought the network of individual groups together.[2] In 2013, Talitha Kum had counter-trafficking missions in 75 countries and involved over 600 nuns.[1] By 2015, there were about 1,100 women working in 80 countries.[12]

Sister Gabriella Bottani became the new coordinator of Talitha Kum in January 2015.[2]

Activity

Talitha Kum uses the Palermo Protocol of 2000 "for the protection, prevention and prosecution" of people being trafficked.[1] Shelters, safe houses, counseling and legal assistance are available to victims through Talitha Kum.[1] Members of Talitha Kum train local people to be aware of signs of human trafficking.[13]

The sisters involved in Talitha Kum have been reported to disguise themselves as prostitutes in order to infiltrate brothels and rescue women.[12] During the Brazilian World Cup in 2014, the group organized a campaign called "Play for Life, Report Trafficking," which was meant to raise awareness of human trafficking and how to report possible incidents.[14]

Other services include training women in vocational skills and providing "assistance for micro-industries."[1]

References
  1. Viehland, N.J. (12 December 2013). "Religious Women Link Up to Fight Human Trafficking". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. Rotondaro, Vinnie (24 March 2015). "Q & A with Sr. Gabriella Bottani". Global Sisters Report. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  3. "Talitha Kum". International Union Superiors General. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. "Talitha Kum: Network of Nuns Leading the Fight Against Human Trafficking". Rome Reports. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. Povoledo, Elisabetta (2 May 2015). "Nuns Intercede for Victims of Sex Trafficking in Italy". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  6. "International Affiliation". US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  7. "Talitha Kum: First Asia Policy Conference on Human Trafficking". Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  8. "About Us". Talitha Kum. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  9. Mcelwee, Joshua J. (19 December 2014). "World Day of Peace Message Takes on Human Trafficking". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 13 April 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  10. Wujek, Lily (2 February 2016). "Sister to Sister: Why a Group of Nuns are Going Undercover as Sex Workers". Ms. Blog. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  11. Samson, Oliver (1 August 2014). "Sisters Act: How Nuns Are Fighting Human Trafficking". CBCP News. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  12. Wulfhorst, Ellen (18 November 2015). "Nuns Who Rescue Sex Slaves Expand Efforts to 140 Countries". Religion News Service. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  13. "Nuns Fight Trafficking in Haiyan-Hit Areas". UCAN Directory. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  14. "Nuns to Fight Child Prostitution During World Cup". CBS News. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
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