Categories for Press Release
March 3, 2023
Columbus OH — Sister Margaret Nacke will be honored along with other leading abolitionists from around the country who are fighting to end modern-day slavery on March 25th at the Greek Annunciation Banquet Center in Columbus Ohio.
Sister Margaret Nacke, Sister of St. Joseph, Concordia, Kansas, has been involved with anti-human trafficking initiatives for the past 11 years. She has engaged in ventures that involve Adult Life Transitions with persons in the U.S. and abroad. As chair of the Survivor Services Working Group Committee of U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, she has been instrumental in creating programs that advance education about trafficking.
The Liberator Awards will be presented in the following categories: Individual, Volunteer, Organization, Law Enforcement/Public Servant, female and male Survivor of the Year, the Liberator of the Year, and the Radical Abolitionist Award. All proceeds from the evening will benefit future S.O.A.P. outreach initiatives that help rescue missing children from being trafficked, as well as hold survivor retreats for both male and female survivors of human trafficking to heal and recover.
S.O.A.P. was founded by USCSAHT Program Director Theresa Flores, who is an author, advocate, and survivor of human trafficking. On her worst night, after being auctioned off to nearly two dozen men in a dingy, dirty, inner-city Detroit motel, Theresa recalled the only item that would have reached out to her was a bar of soap. With that in mind, she created S.O.A.P. — Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution — to help reach out to other victims. S.O.A.P. has distributed more than two million bars of soap with the national human trafficking hotline number to thousands of hotels around the country.
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December 13, 2022
CONTACT: Christine Commerce, Communications Director, christine@sistersagainsttrafficking.org
Wellness Weekend for Male Human Trafficking Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE … FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus, Ohio – Twelve men, ages 27 to 57, got the chance to heal from their past trauma and practice some self-care techniques in the first Wellness Weekend for Male Survivors of Human Trafficking Dec. 9-11.
Girls and women are often the targets of human trafficking. However, beneath the surface, men and boys often go unseen and are underserved when it comes to this crime.
USCSAHT Program Director Theresa Flores, Lived Experience Expert and Founder of The SOAP Project, said it is believed that males make up 20-30% of all victims of trafficking in the U.S.
“Once a survivor is no longer being trafficked, his trauma doesn’t end there,” Flores said. “It takes a lifetime of hard work to heal the scars and become thrivers. Many times, male survivors are left out of the trafficking narrative. While there are thousands of victims, there are very few resources to help them heal.”
Every year, thousands of boys and men fall victim to this abhorrent crime. Traffickers will prey on the vulnerabilities of victims such as homelessness and poverty. Estimates vary but boys made up 7% of child sex trafficking reported to the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and 15% of online enticement cases involved boys. The percentage is even higher for labor trafficking with 556 males in labor trafficking reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2020 compared to 682 for females.
Once male victims escape their situation, limited resources make the road to recovery even more difficult. U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking partnered with Sisters of Mercy, The SOAP Project and Felician Services, Inc. to bridge the gap and help them on their healing journey.
“Mother Mary was with us providing these vulnerable, yet strong men with the feminine, motherly love that they needed so much,” said Flores. “And Jesus was walking right beside them, providing the male protector essence they needed to restore what was taken from them by other men.”
USCSAHT brought together volunteers from around the country who poured into them and helped them heal from what others have so brutally taken from them. They learned the importance of healing touch by getting massages and facials, came together in harmony with a drum circle, music therapy, and guided meditation, and worked on their physical and mental health with yoga, and sessions on men’s, brain, financial, and chiropractic health. They worked on forgiveness, releasing shame, guilt, anger, and sadness. But most importantly, the retreat helped them create a support group and a sense of community.
The Wellness Weekend offered the retreat completely free to survivors of labor and sex trafficking. They were provided free plane tickets, luxury rooms, tasty and abundant food plus lots of goodies to take home.
“You are the sparkle to my wings,” said the youngest survivor who attended.
“I came not knowing a single person, not getting the therapy I have needed, and am leaving with brothers and the tools on how to heal myself,” said another.
To find out more information about survivor retreats, email theresa@sistersagainsttrafficking.org or visit sistersagainsttrafficking.org.
USCSAHT was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors. They dreamed of creating a national network of resources and support made up of many different congregations and other mission-aligned partners. Today, this member-based organization has grown to include more than 110 congregations of women religious and another 70+ individuals and groups spread throughout the United States. USCSAHT is also the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.
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December 11, 2022
DATE: Nov. 17, 2022
CONTACT: Christine Commerce, Communications Director, Christine@SistersAgainstTrafficking.org
USCSAHT Encourages Students to Educate Youth on Human Trafficking in Video Contest
United States — Students around the United States will have a chance to display their talent, earn cash prizes and educate other youth about human trafficking in a video contest, “What Would You Do?”
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking is sponsoring the contest to raise awareness, educate and empower students on how to identify and prevent human trafficking. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children saw a 98 percent increase in online exploitation in 2020. Online enticement reports that 78 percent of reported victims were female, 13 percent male and in 9 percent of reports gender could not be determined.
An estimated 300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked in the U.S. USCAHT hopes to prevent these children from falling prey to predators and plans to have other teens empower and educate other youth by delivering that message themselves.
The deadline for submission is March 30. The video can be created by a group, individual or class and must be under 3 minutes in length. No video production experience is necessary to enter. Cash prizes include $1,000 for first prize; second prize: $750 and Third Prize: $500.
A panel of judges will review video submissions on vote on the winners. Videos may not include graphic material or foul language and contain the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888.
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking is a collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy to eradicate human trafficking.
For more information or to register for the contest, visit sistersagainsttraffickingfilmfest.com or email Theresa Flores at Theresa@SistersAgainstTrafficking.org
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November 4, 2022
ST. LOUIS, MO – U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking hosted its Second Annual Human Trafficking Conference with nationally renowned speakers and survivor leaders, who shed light on many of the dark issues surrounding the exploitation of individuals Oct. 26-28 in St. Louis, MO.
This year’s conference theme, “Weaving Community, Building Capacity, Affecting Change,” featured speakers from national organizations dedicated for their efforts to address human trafficking. They included Lina Nealon from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Dr. Mandy Sanchez, World Without Exploitation, and Russ Tuttle from the STOP Trafficking Program.
“The annual USCSAHT conference afforded members and guests an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, to share ideas, to exchange information, and to learn more about human trafficking,” said Executive Director Katie Boller Gosewisch.
This year’s conference featured talks and breakout sessions including: the Demand for Sex and Labor Trafficking, LGBTQ+ and Human Trafficking, Men’s Role in Trafficking, Ethical Representation in Working with Survivors, Pornography and Trafficking, Advocacy 101, Cybersafety, Familial Trafficking, The Consumer’s Role in Trafficking, Trauma Informed Care, Migrants/Refugees and Trafficking, Direct Support Services, the Equality Model and more.
Attendees had the option to attend the conference in-person or on-demand via video recordings following the conference, which was held at the Sheraton Westport Chalet, St. Louis.
USCSAHT was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors. They dreamed of creating a national network of resources and support made up of many different congregations and other mission-aligned partners. Today, this member-based organization has grown to include more than 110 congregations of women religious and another 70+ individuals and groups spread throughout the United States. USCSAHT is also the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.
Keynote Speakers and Presenters included: Dr. Mandy Sanchez (World Without Exploitation), Lina Nealon (National Center on Sexual Exploitation), Terry Coonan (Florida State University), Russ Tuttle (STOP Trafficking Program), Sr. Anne Victory (HM), Peter Quillotine, Theresa Flores, Dr. Kim Hogan (The University of Southern Mississippi State), HEAL Trafficking, Alicia Cohen, Survivors of Human Trafficking and more.
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October 18, 2022
Brighton, MI – The ECPAT-USA Awards were held recently in New York City to celebrate individuals who work to combat child trafficking.
Theresa Flores, Program Director for the United States Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, was recognized for her work in preventing sex trafficking and the exploitation of children.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by ECPAT USA for the mission that God put before me 15 years ago,” she said. “This journey has been heart-wrenching, mind-opening, brought me to my knees in tears, and also opened my heart to the huge amount of support and happiness I have received in turn. Receiving the “Freedom Award” is humbling because it wasn’t just me who did this work, but also motivating because we need a lot more people doing this work to end human trafficking.”
In addition to being the Program Director for U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, Flores is the founder of the SOAP Project – Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution, a non-profit that mobilizes citizens to help locate missing youth who are being trafficked during major sporting events and assists survivors of trafficking on their healing journey.
She has been a licensed social worker for more than 30 years, was appointed to the Ohio Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Commission in 2009, and has testified before both the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate in support of Human Trafficking Legislation. Additionally, the “Theresa Flores Law,” which eliminates the statute of limitation for children who have been trafficked, was passed in Michigan in 2015.
Flores is a survivor of domestic child sex trafficking and was sold in an underground crime ring in an upper-middle-class suburb outside Detroit from the time she was 15-17 years old. She has researched the mental and physical health problems of more than 200 domestic trafficking survivors and has hosted more than 200 women at survivor retreats.
She has received many awards including the 2017 L’Oréal Women of Worth, the University of Dayton’s Alumni Association, the 2013 Christian Service Award & the 2020 Polaris Star Award. In January 2012 at the Ohio State of the State Address, Flores received the Courage Award from the governor for her work in human trafficking.
Flores also has published five books including, “The Sacred Bath,” “The Slave Across the Street” (in the UK and U.S.), and “Slavery in the Land of the Free – A Student’s Guide to Modern-Day Slavery.” You only list three books, so I added the including. The 10-year anniversary edition depicts the trauma of trafficking upon a person and the struggle it takes to heal. The audio version of her memoir—name– was nominated for the 2011 Audie Award, being in the top five of all memoirs and biographies, and has been on the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Best Seller list for e-books several times. In addition, she also conducted the TED Talk, “Find a Voice with SOAP.”
USCSAHT was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters who were committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors and dreamed of creating a national network of resources and support made up of many different congregations and other mission-aligned partners. Today, this member-based organization has grown to include more than 110 congregations of women religious and another 70+ individuals and groups spread throughout the United States. USCSAHT is also the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.
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September 15, 2022
BRIGHTON, MI — U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) announces its new Communications Director, Christine Commerce. Commerce began her tenure with USCSAHT Sept. 12, 2022 and will be the first communications director for the organization.
USCSAHT was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters who were committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors and dreamed of creating a national network of resources and support. Today, this member-based organization has grown to include more than 110 congregations of women religious and numerous mission aligned coalitions and individuals throughout the United States. USCSAHT is the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.
Commerce joins USCSAHT as the organization continues to grow and diversify, increasing its impact in the larger struggle to end human trafficking and support survivors on their healing journey. She believes strongly in USCSAHT’s vision of a world without slavery and protecting the dignity of every human being. “I am honored to accept the position of communications director to further educate the public about this affront to human dignity so that together, we may stand in solidarity and break the invisible chains of modern-day slavery,” Commerce said.
Commerce brings her experience in the nonprofit world with volunteer management, education and outreach, program expansion, event planning, marketing and public relations to USCSAHT. She has previously served as Executive Director of Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful and most recently served as coordinator of the Diocese of Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force. In addition to her extensive work in the nonprofit field, she has worked as an editor and reporter for Sunbelt Newspapers and freelance writer for the Florida Catholic, Orlando Magazine and the Tampa Tribune.
Commerce holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and communications from the University of Florida. “I am proud to have Ms. Commerce join our team. Her experience and passion for the mission of U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking is exactly what is needed as we communicate organization aims to our membership and the public at large,” said Katie Boller Gosewisch, USCSAHT Executive Director.
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May 17, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 17, 2022
Katie Boller Gosewisch (Executive Director)
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
Katie@SistersAgainstTrafficking.org | 267-332-7768
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking Hires New Executive Director
ST. LOUIS: U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) is pleased to welcome to the team our new Executive Director, Katie Boller Gosewisch. Ms. Boller Gosewisch begins her tenure with USCSAHT May 17, 2022 and will be the second Executive Director of the organization. USCSAHT was founded in 2013 by a group of Catholic Sisters who were committed to ending human trafficking and supporting survivors and dreamed of creating a national network of resources and support made up of many different congregations and other mission-aligned partners. Today this member-based organization has grown to include over 110 congregations of women religious and another 70+ individuals and groups spread throughout the United States. USCSAHT is also the U.S. member of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life working to end human trafficking.
Katie Boller Gosewisch will be joining USCSAHT as the organization continues to grow and diversify, increasing its impact in the larger struggle to end human trafficking and support survivors on their healing journey. She believes strongly in USCSAHT’s vision of a world without trafficking and exploitation and uplifting the dignity of every human being. Katie shared, “I am tremendously honored to be chosen to lead USCSAHT as we work to realize a world in which trafficking is eradicated and the innate dignity of the human person is recognized and upheld.”
Katie brings great skill and experience to this role having served as the Executive Director for two Minnesota-based nonprofits: Living at Home Network and WeCab, both of which focused on serving vulnerable populations with important access to resources like transportation, safe and affordable housing, and medical care. She is a committed and vision-driven professional with more than 20 years of experience providing program management, educational, and fiscal leadership within the nonprofit environment; with a focus on advocacy, training, community engagement, grant writing, special events, and staff and volunteer coordination.
Katie is also well educated in the values and teachings of the Catholic Church, which inspire her to work for justice in the world. She holds a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from St. John’s University and a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and History from St. Mary’s University. She has also previously worked as a youth minister and religious educator.
“The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Katie to USCSAHT and we look forward to working together with her,” said Sister Ann Oestreich, IHM, President of the Board. “Katie has the necessary skills, experience, and passion to lead us into a mission-centered future in our priority areas of education, advocacy, and survivor support.”
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May 11, 2022
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) is honored and grateful to receive a very generous legacy gift from Our Lady of Victory Missionary (OLVM) Sisters, also known as the Victory Noll Sisters. This legacy gift will sustain the ongoing work of USCSAHT and honor the long history of the OLVM Sisters work accompanying those on the margins who are impacted by oppression. For the past 100 years, the OLVM Sisters have been living their mission and charism of presence, advocacy for justice, faith formation, and leadership formation with persons who live in poverty and oppression, who are on the edges of the human family. Since their founding, they have been focused on living in the communities they accompanied and meeting people where they were, responding to the needs as they arose organically through trusted relationships. Their goal has been to go where there is the greatest need and empower others to become leaders in their community, using their voice and talents for good. Now, they are living into the next phase of their life as they are no longer accepting new vocations and caring for the 32 sisters remaining in the congregation.
Part of living into this next phase of life for the congregation includes sharing their resources with other mission-aligned organizations through the distribution of legacy gifts. When it became apparent to the leadership team that the congregation had more resources than it currently needed, they asked the congregation at one of their assemblies: “Where do you want to make an impact? Where can we contribute our resources to places that are in alignment with our mission and charism?” Some of the key areas of impact identified were: supporting immigrants and refugees, working with women and children – particularly victims of exploitation, leadership formation of women, empowering Hispanic/Latino communities for leadership in the Church and beyond, addressing the climate crisis, and investing in community development of impoverished communities. While there are not many OLVM sisters who are able to engage in this kind of direct work these days, their legacy gifts are a way the congregation continues to live its mission in partnership with others.
Sr. Mary Jo Nelson, current OLVM President, shared that the mission and vision of USCSAHT to realize a world without trafficking and exploitation align well with the congregation’s focus on justice for women and children, promoting ongoing education, and supporting the work of the sisters in the U.S. who are also connected to a global network of sisters committed to this same mission and vision. The fact that our ministry has both a local and global impact makes it extra significant. The OLVM Sisters have been long-time members of USCSAHT, and with this legacy gift have solidified their support as legacy members in perpetuity, witnessing to their lasting legacy of accompaniment, education, empowerment, and transformation of society. USCSAHT is honored to be entrusted with this gift and legacy of the OLVM Sisters which will help sustain our ongoing work into the future. With this gift we can continue and expand our work to educate about human trafficking prevention and identification; advocate for stronger laws to prevent human trafficking, hold those responsible accountable, and support survivors; and provide direct support to survivors on their healing journeys.
The OLVM Sisters are the second congregation to make a legacy gift to USCSAHT as they near fulfillment. The first congregation was the Sisters of the Holy Family which you can read more about on our blog. If you or your congregation are interested in establishing your legacy as a champion of human rights in the work to end human trafficking and would like more information about how to make a legacy gift to USCSAHT please contactInfo@SistersAgainstTrafficking.org or call 267-332-7768.
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February 7, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 7, 2022
Jennifer Reyes Lay (Executive Director)
U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
Jennifer@SistersAgainstTrafficking.org | 314-707-7313
USCSAHT Launches Search for New Executive Director
ST. LOUIS: US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking, a collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy to eradicate human trafficking, has launched a national search for a new Executive Director.
The ideal candidate will be a person of faith committed to the mission, vision, and values of the organization, and eager to expand its work to eradicate human trafficking and assist survivors. Together with an excellent Board of Directors and professional staff, and with a broad-based community of members, partners, donors, and friends, the Executive Director will lead USCSAHT forward, continuing the rich legacy of Catholic Sisters’ commitment to realizing a world without human trafficking.
USCSAHT is a young, vibrant, and quickly growing nonprofit. It began in April 2013 with a core group of 15 Catholic sisters who anticipated increasing collaboration among women religious and others to better minister to survivors, educate the public, and influence public policy in an effort to end human trafficking. At the initial meeting, which included consultation with national leaders in the field, the group determined to move forward with the creation of an anti-trafficking network.
Since then, this dedicated group of Catholic Sisters has worked hard to reach other like-minded justice-seekers, growing their initial group of 15 to almost 200 members comprised of congregations of Catholic Sisters, diverse coalitions working against human trafficking, and dozens of individuals who share its mission and vision. USCSAHT welcomes everyone to join in the necessary work of eradicating human tracking.
During the search process, operations and programming will continue as normal under the leadership of the current Executive Director who is working closely with the Board of Directors for a smooth transition process.
Read more about the open position on our Employment Opportunities page
July 1, 2021
ST. LOUIS: As people throughout the United States prepare to celebrate Independence Day this weekend, we are reminded of the many people in our own communities and throughout the world who are still not free due to the global crime of human trafficking. U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking (USCSAHT) is a collaborative, faith-based national network that offers education, supports access to survivor services, and engages in advocacy in order to eradicate human trafficking and ensure that all are free to pursue their dreams.
The month of July also ends with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (July 30), and the theme this year is “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way,” reminding us that the most important voices in directing anti-trafficking work and initiatives in our communities must come from victims and survivors of human trafficking. The anti-trafficking efforts of USCSAHT reflect the core values of our faith centered in the dignity of every person, and we seek to center and prioritize the experiences of survivors in our work, listening carefully to their recommendations for what will be most helpful in truly ending human trafficking and providing the needed resources for survivors to thrive.
When it comes to the issue of prostitution and how to best prevent human trafficking, there are a variety of opinions and strategies. After careful reflection and discernment on the various approaches available, including listening to the recommendations of survivors of human trafficking, the USCSAHT Board of Directors has decided to take a public stance in favor of the Equality Model (also known as the Nordic Model or partial decriminalization) and against full decriminalization and legalization of prostitution.
Jennifer Reyes Lay, Executive Director of USCSAHT said, “I am proud of the intentional and deliberate process that the Board underwent to arrive at this decision, which was rooted in our values and our accountability to survivors of human trafficking. Going forward, I welcome collaboration with other like-minded groups, individuals, and elected officials to prevent the expansion of human trafficking and support all survivors through the comprehensive approach offered by the Equality Model.”
There are three main components of the Equality Model: 1) Decriminalize those who are prostituted or trafficked; 2) Provide support to those who seek to exit prostitution; and 3) Prosecute pimps, brothel owners, and buyers. In addition to the third point about prosecution, USCSAHT supports a restorative justice approach to working with those who have been arrested and charged with these crimes. We believe in promoting rehabilitation over incarceration whenever possible in order to address the root causes of the harm being perpetuated and prevent this behavior from continuing.
The USCSAHT Board decided to support the Equality Model because it is the model most survivor-advocates are proposing and is most in line with our values. This decision is based on a recognition that prostitution is inherently harmful and violent, and therefore a violation of human rights. This approach promotes a socio-economic system that prioritizes gender equality, aspires to economic equity, and recognizes the government’s responsibility to provide comprehensive services to victims. The Equality Model is key because it puts survivors and their needs first. Partial decriminalization minimizes the opportunity for traffickers to target the vulnerable and prioritizes community programs designed to prevent exploitation from happening.
Theresa Flores, Program Director for USCSAHT and a survivor of human trafficking said, “I support the Equality Model because it views the woman (seller) as a victim and not the criminal and yet goes after the Demand for Sex for Sale. Which is the only true way to finally end human trafficking once and for all.”
USCSAHT believes that full decriminalization and/or legalization of commercial sex acts normalizes the practice, which leads to increased demand. Research shows that whenever the sex trade is fully decriminalized, the demand for commercial sex acts increases as does human trafficking in order to meet the increased demand. On average, countries and cities where prostitution is currently legal experience larger reported human trafficking inflows. Our commitment and accountability is to survivors of human trafficking, and any position that increases the likelihood of human trafficking must be opposed.
In taking this public stance in support of the Equality Model, we are committing to: 1) Supporting proposals and legislation based on the Equality Model around the country; 2) Opposing proposals and legislation to fully decriminalize or legalize prostitution; 3) Following the lead of survivor-advocates on solutions to prevent human trafficking and provide needed resources for survivors to thrive; 4) Holding buyers, traffickers, and brothel owners accountable for their harmful actions and promoting policies/programs that favor restorative justice and rehabilitation; and 5) Partnering with other organizations and coalitions that support the Equality Model.
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