Faith-based NGOs promote “collective concern” to stop Human trafficking

In collaboration with Talitha Kum, a faith-based organization, the Peace Justice and Pastoral Commission for Migrant Migrants (KKPPMP) of the Tanjungkarang Diocese held a seminar on human trafficking on February 10 at Matow Way Hurik, Tanjungseneng, Indonesia.

In her official statement to RVA News, Yuli Nugrahani, Chair of the KKPPMP, said that the theme "The Power of Concern: Women, Economic, and Human Trafficking" aims to empower a collective concern to build mass power to stop human trafficking, which is still rampant in Indonesia.

Human trafficking, according to Nugrahani, does not only tear our sense of humanity but also demeans human dignity itself because it is considered a commodity to be traded.

Citing UN data, Nugrahani said that around 72% of victims of trafficking are women and girls.

She said this figure rises a lot when people are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

"Women affected by human trafficking are called to take on a role as agents of change to create an economic system based on caring for others and involving everyone," explained Nugraheni.

The interfaith community cares about victims of human trafficking promotes advocacy activities in the form of seminars.

Suzana Indriyati Caturiani, a lecturer at the University of Lampung, and Tymu Irawan, from the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union (SBMI), was the resource person.

The discussion was moderated by Yuli Nugrahani, Chair of the Tanjungkarang Diocese KKPPMP.

Religious leaders led the group in prayer. Tymu Irawan (Muslim delegate), Budiman (Prosttant Delegate), Sister M. Tarsisia (Catholic Delegate), Luke Silalahi (Social Association of Chinese Indonesian Clans), and Desak Ketut Suastika (Hindu delegate) were also present.

Nugrahani, the seminar organizer, hopes that the echoes of anti-trafficking advocacy will continue to be heard through concrete actions and massive outreach.

The advocacy is to “promote a strong sense of concern about the reality of human trafficking,” says Nugrahani. “This is a powerful way to stop human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.”

As reported by Kompas Id based on the International Organization for Migration (IOM) records in Indonesia, during 2020, the number of cases of trafficking in persons (TPPO) received by IOM increased to 154. TPPO does not only occur across countries but also in the country.

Most of the people who were exploited, according to IOM, in 2020 were sexually exploited.

Still, from the same source, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) recorded an increase in Trafficking In Person (TIP) cases during the pandemic, from 213 patients (2019) to 400 points (2020).

Data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that the number of children trafficked as adults increases and that 80% of them are sexually exploited.