When Sister of Mercy Shiela O'Gorman flippantly told a gathering at
Dublin's Mercy International Centre this week that they could as easily
spend their days knitting as raising awareness for the dozens of women
trafficked and involved in prostitution in Ireland, her sense of
tongue-in-cheek was palpable.
She was speaking at the launch of resource material entitled Human
Trafficking, Prostitution, and Sexuality by Act to Prevent Trafficking
(APT), a faith-based organisation formed five years ago to raise
awareness of trafficking and the problems associated with it.
''After a conference last year on human trafficking, we had that
uncomfortable feeling about what are we going to do about it now. And so
we decided to raise awareness because we realised there was a real need
to lobby and campaign to bring Irish legislation in line with best
practice internationally.
''Human trafficking is a crime but in APT we focus on the person who
is trafficked. Our vision is of a world where all people are respected
and no one is exploited and where no one is bought or sold for the
sexual gratification of another,'' Sr O'Gorman said.
The booklet, which includes several contributions traversing topics
such as the psychological impact of trafficking to sexuality and justice
and a spirituality of sexual intimacy, was launched by RTÉ's Aine
Lawlor who has taken an active interest in the group since its
formation.
''Our views on prostitution have changed greatly. Today it's locked
away in apartments and these women are seen as strangers, not members of
our own community. I'm not sure what the cure is but I do know that the
work of APT is important,'' Ms Lawlor said.
''This is an issue we have to face up to and try to break down the
secrecy. I believe people are good and they will respond but now is not
the time to be idealistic, it's the time to get real and to be a lot
more sympathetic - now more than ever we need awareness,'' she said.
The
APT book is available to buy at Veritas shops at €10.
SIC: IC/IE