92: Sex trafficking and the Catholic Church, with Karen Anstiss
Dec 18, 2024
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Karen Anstiss, a former police officer and service manager at Caritas Bakhita House, sheds light on the harrowing realities of sex trafficking. She discusses how vulnerable individuals can fall prey to exploitation, often manipulated into captivity. Anstiss emphasizes the Catholic Church's vital role in supporting survivors, offering insights into the emotional journey from law enforcement to advocacy. She highlights the resilience of women in recovery and calls for community vigilance to combat modern slavery, urging listeners to recognize and respond to signs of exploitation.
Bakhita House has provided essential support and a safe haven for over 190 women facing sexual exploitation since 2015.
Collaborative efforts between law enforcement and faith-based organizations are crucial for creating effective pathways for survivors of modern slavery.
Deep dives
The Impact of Art and Faith in Addressing Social Issues
The importance of storytelling and the arts in guiding individuals towards faith and understanding is acknowledged as a means of addressing societal challenges. St. John Paul II's passion for the arts is highlighted, illustrating how creativity can resonate deeply with people's hearts and inspire them towards goodness. In particular, the initiatives at John Paul the Great Catholic University demonstrate a commitment to fostering new generations of creative professionals who share these values. This educational focus aims not only to promote artistic excellence but also to ensure that faith remains intertwined with artistic expression.
Bakita House: A Sanctuary for Victims of Exploitation
Bakita House serves as a safe haven for women who have experienced sexual exploitation and trafficking, providing care and support since its inception in 2015. The establishment of this refuge, led by Cardinal Nichols, has been pivotal in helping over 190 women from various backgrounds find sanctuary and healing. Karen Anstis, who transitioned from police work to helping these victims, emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in addressing the complex trauma faced by these women. The center offers vital services that help rebuild lives while fostering trust and a sense of community among survivors.
The Role of Collaboration in Combatting Modern Slavery
The collaborative efforts between law enforcement and faith-based organizations are essential in tackling the issue of modern slavery. Karen Anstis recounts her experiences working with various agencies to create a safe pathway for survivors, which includes integrating victims into supportive environments rather than traditional police settings. This partnership has allowed for more humane interactions, helping victims to overcome their initial mistrust and fear of authorities. Furthermore, broader awareness and education on trafficking have become crucial, as many people are unaware of its prevalence in modern society.
Understanding the Complexities of Trafficking and Coercion
The nuances of trafficking and the manipulative tactics used by traffickers are explored, revealing how individuals can be ensnared by false promises of love, job opportunities, or education. Anstis explains that coercion often operates through psychological control rather than physical confinement, complicating the path to recovery for victims. The discussion also highlights the alarming statistics surrounding human trafficking, showing that this issue affects millions globally while remaining largely hidden. Education and awareness are emphasized as vital tools for the public to recognize signs of exploitation in their communities.
This week, Dr Gavin Ashenden is joined by Karen Anstiss, the service manager for Caritas Bakhita House, a safe house in London for trafficked and exploited women which is run by the Catholic Church.
A former police officer, Miss Anstiss charts the origins of the project 10 years ago as part of a broader response to the “endemic and deeply embedded” global problem of an estimated 50 million people trapped in modern-day slavery, a scourge described by Pope Francis as a “wound in the body of humanity and therefore in the body of Christ himself”
She goes on to describe the pioneering work of Bakhita House, which since 2015 has given sanctuary to 188 women, aged between 15 and 70, who are drawn from 49 countries and who are overwhelmingly the victims of sexual exploitation or serious sexual assault.
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