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Church Moderator uses International Women's Day to highlight human trafficking

Human trafficking and the Not For Sale Sunday initiative were raised today at an International Women’s Day lunch for members of the Church of Scotland Guild, by the Moderator of the Kirk's General Assembly.

The Right Rev Alan McDonald commended Guild members for their efforts in raising the issue of human trafficking and highlighted their new resource pack designed to help local congregations understand what is happening in Scotland to people who are trafficked.

The Moderator gave support to Not For Sale Sunday, a one day event on 20 May 2007 organised by one of the Guild’s partner organisations, Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking Across Europe (CHASTE) which is a part of a weekend of activities where the issue of sexual exploitation can be explored and will give people the opportunity to stand up against human trafficking.

With an estimated 4000 women trafficked into the UK each year the Moderator says: "This evil trade in humanity, the buying and selling of people, must be addressed at every level. The church needs to be aware of it and add its informed voice to those calling for rapid ratification of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings.

"The Prime Minister has signalled his intention for the government to sign up to this – the time has come for good intention to be turned into action."

Full story at the Church of Scotland.