Collaboration to Protect the Vulnerable

This Monday I was fortunate to be able to participate in a panel discussion on child sex trafficking at Microsoft's Silicon Valley campus. The purpose of the discussion was to allow recipients of Microsoft research grants like me to discuss some of our research regarding the role of technology in child sex trafficking. It was a wonderful example of how research universities and private businesses can partner to address such a critical issue as human trafficking.

Why is this relevant to a blog regarding Catholic legal thought? Well, two reasons come to mind. First, I have had occasion recently to review my university's mission statement. Being able to work on such an important issue regarding the inherent dignity of children is an opportunity not possible on this scale without this funding from Microsoft. This kind of collaboration helps researchers work toward and attain one of our University goals: to "discover and impart the truth through excellence in…research, all in service to … the world."

Secondly, I was pleased to see that within the audience of stakeholders working on the front lines of this issue were people from Catholic organizations. In the audience was the Director of the Office of Social Ministries for the Diocese of San Jose. I learned from her that Bishop McGrath has prioritized the eradication of Human Trafficking. She shared with me the Diocese's mission statement on this issue which beautifully states in part:

"As a Catholic faith community we value the dignity and rights of all persons and we endeavor to educate, influence public policy, and engage our community for the purpose of eradicating human trafficking in all its forms.  We work in collaboration with other faith communities, law enforcement and established organizations addressing the issue."  (emphasis in original)

Also in the audience was a sister from the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Those of us who have been working in this field know that well before human trafficking reached public consciousness, women religious were working in the trenches providing direct care to victims and calling for social change. The work of organizations as diverse as Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit and this network of front line workers are strong reminders of the potential social impact we can all have when we collaborate to defeat indignities inflicted on our most vulnerable children.