The work of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans has received a double boost in recent weeks.
The face of Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH), Sr Pauline Coll SGS, has been personally recognised for her work by the Soroptimist International Brisbane City Club while ACRATH has received significant NGO funding from the Federal Government.
Sr Pauline was honoured at the Soroptimist International Brisbane City annual Community Volunteer Awards luncheon on October 26.
Soroptimist International Brisbane City is a professional women's service organisation working through projects to raise the status of women, advance human rights, and promote equality, development and peace for all.
According to club publicity officer Chris Knight, the luncheon helps to celebrate United Nations Day (October 24) and recognises the outstanding contributions of people and/or organisations that promote peace and unity within the community.
"This year's luncheon had special significance, as it coincided with the year in which we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights," she said.
"Trafficking for many years has been a key focus of Soroptimist International.
"The Brisbane club has had a number of guest speakers at meetings, sold copies of the Australian film (dvd) on trafficking,
The Jammed, supported organisations that have been working with the survivors of trafficking and facilitated / moderated a number of fora on trafficking including the participation in two workshops at our Soroptimist International Convention in Glasgow in 2007. This particular workshop provided an opportunity for many Soroptimist members from around the world to share their ideas and projects with others," she said.
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Melanie Pilling
A GOLD Coast hairdresser forced two Thai women to work as prostitutes so he could collect the profits and repay $50,000 that he owed to loan sharks.
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The honour for Sr Pauline followed only days after the announcement that ACRATH would receive $250,000 in Federal funding as part of a $1 million grant from the Proceeds of Crime Act coffers.
The funds follow this year's days of lobbying in the Australian capital and Roandtable meeting called by the Minister.
Normally Budget allocation for this work goes to the Australian Federal Police, the Institute of Criminology and towards awareness raising in the brothels.
However, on October 23, the Home Affairs Minister
Bob Debus announced $1 million in funding to help four Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) in their efforts to combat people trafficking.
The Anti-Slavery Project, Project Respect, the Scarlet Alliance as well as ACRATH each received $250,000 to provide vital outreach for trafficking victims and conduct education and awareness initiatives on people trafficking.
"NGOs have been making a valuable contribution and have lobbied hard for victims," Mr Debus said.
"This funding recognises the important work they do along with a number of Government agencies in developing Australia's anti-trafficking strategy."
The funding will be from confiscated criminal assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
In June this year, Mr Debus convened the first national Roundtable on People Trafficking, which brought together for the first time more than 20 Government agencies and NGOs. Sr Pauline represented ACRATH at the gathering.
At its annual assembly in 2007, Catholic Religious Australia gave
formal recognition to ACRATH when CRA's 180 members pledged to "do what we can within our structures and ministries to promote justice and healing for victims of trafficking". The members also agreed that CRA should take a "collective and public stance" against trafficking in women, children and men.
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