More than 70 people turned out following the Saturday morning Mass at St. Thomas à Becket Church in Reston Feb. 8, for a talk on combating human trafficking, organized by local nonprofit Bakhita Kids.
Former police detective Bill Woolf, who has more than two decades of experience in law enforcement and investigations of human trafficking, missing and exploited children, gangs and other forms of organized crime, warned of growing criminal activity in Northern Virginia.
“Human trafficking is a growing industry in Northern Virginia and our community needs to be aware of the signs and know how to respond or better yet, prevent it from happening,” he said. “One in six teens will be approached by a trafficker who tries to coerce them into sex slavery or forced labor either in person or online. Understanding how they operate and target vulnerable young people, primarily teen girls, is a key to identifying and stopping this criminal activity.”
Named in honor of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patron saint of human trafficking victims, slaves and the poor whose feast day is Feb. 8, Bakhita Kids was founded in 2020 by Barbara Froio, a Great Falls resident and St. Catherine of Sienna parishioner, who has worked for years to bring awareness to the growing tragedy of human trafficking. Through this charity, Froio promotes awareness and helps provide goods, supplies, and services to children and families in need in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland.
“In the shadow of the nation’s capital human trafficking networks are growing and victims are being forced to commit unbearable acts,” said Froio. We believe God has called us to all we can to raise awareness and warn parents and potential victims of the dangers.”
During Mass, Father Richard E. Dyer, pastor, centered his homily on St. Bakhita, a Sudanese woman who was kidnapped at the age of 7, sold into slavery and given the name that means “fortunate.” Bakhita was resold several times suffering great cruelty and after being enslaved for 45 years in Italy was allowed to stay with a family who showed her kindness she never knew. She became part of a religious order, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, which helped her gain her freedom.
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For more info on Bakhita Kids go to bakhitakids.com.
