For Immediate Release September 3, 2013

Contact: Patricia Cole pcole@catholiccharitiesusa.org 703-236-6218

Catholic Charities USA Releases Report on Human Trafficking Local Agencies Across the Country Responding to Increasing Number of Victims Alexandria, VA As states across the country increasingly focus on the challenges associated with human trafficking39 state legislatures in the past year alone have passed anti-trafficking laws - local Catholic Charities agencies are working to protect and advocate for the victims of human trafficking, according to a report released by Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA). The report, Providers of Service to Victims of Trafficking: A Report for Catholic Charities USA illustrates the need for a more holistic victim support model, much like the services provided by Catholic Charities agencies. For more than 30 years, Catholic Charities agencies have been providing services to human trafficking victims across the country, and are leading efforts to offer employment services, family counseling and legal advocacy to trafficking victims from all walks of life. In the past year alone, 29 Catholic Charities agencies reported providing services to 239 victims of sex, labor, drug and organ trafficking. We are hopeful that the findings of this report will help not only Catholic Charities USA and our local agencies, but also the broader community working to better serve victims of human trafficking in local communities across the country. With the evidence-based improvements and bolstered commitment to this urgent cause, the Catholic Charities network will move forward in offering a hand to trafficking victims, said Fr. Larry Snyder, President of CCUSA. By promoting connections between local Catholic Charities agencies and with other social service agencies devoted to confronting this issue, Catholic Charities USA aims to facilitate collaboration that will improve the quality of services provided to those touched by human trafficking. CCUSA commissioned the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University to evaluate the effectiveness of this programming and to identify gaps in funding and services. CARA surveyed CCUSA member agencies, as well as conducted focus groups to provide CCUSA with an overall outlook on services provided to human trafficking victims.

About Catholic Charities USA

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Catholic Charities USAs members provide help and create hope for more than 10 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. To learn more about CCUSA, please visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org ###