Catholic Women in Europe

Sexual exploitation preys on women and children made vulnerable by poverty and economic development policies and practices; refugee and displaced persons; women in the migrating process, and women who have been victims of childhood sexual abuse.

Prostitution affects all women, justifies the sale of any woman, and reduces all women to sex.

Sexual exploitation eroticizes women's inequality.

Sexual exploitation is a vehicle for racism and "first world" domination, disproportionately victimising minority and "third world" women.

Worldwide, the average age of girls' entrance into prostitution is 14.

Local and global sex industries are systematically violating women's rights on an ever - increasing scale.

Sexual exploitation violates the human rights of anyone subjected to it, whether female or male, adult or child, Northern or Southern.

The Links between Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: A Briefing Handbook
Author(s): Grainne Healy & Monica O'Connor (2006)
This handbook seeks to explore and elucidate the links between prostitution and trafficking, focusing on gender equality and the issue of demand. It was initially developed for the 13 countries participating in the joint Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) and the European Women's Lobby (EWL) Project on Promoting Preventative Measures to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings for Sexual Exploitation: A Swedish and United States Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisation Partnership. This handbook may be used as a resource for any NGO or governmental group or authority that is interested in addressing the gaps in anti-trafficking programmes: the links between prostitution and trafficking, the importance of programmes and policies that are based on gender equality, the legal status of the sex industry, and the male demand for prostitution that promotes sex trafficking. Read the report

THIRD STAGE: WITTENBERG, 15-18 FEBRUARY 2007

The light of Christ shines on all.

Rediscovering the gift of light that the Gospel of Christ represents for Europe today.

The third stage will take place in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany (15-18 February 2007). It will bring together 150 delegates from churches, Bishops? Conferences, ecumenical bodies, communities and movements.

Goals and programme:

1. to live an experience of communion and spirituality, specifically by deepening the knowledge of the Reformation;

2. to reflect on the ongoing EEA3 process;

3. to discuss and implement at a local level the issues concerning the second goal of the assembly: to rediscover the gift of light that the Gospel of Christ represents for current day Europe (see part three of the Charta Oecumenica);

4. to prepare the Sibiu assembly;

5. to prepare local, national or regional meetings to take place at the same time as the Sibiu one (September 2007).

FOURTH STAGE: SIBIU, 4-9 SEPTEMBER 2007

The Light of Christ shines upon all.

Hope for renewal and unity in Europe.

Finally, the Assembly itself, which will take place in Sibiu, Romania (4-9 September 2007) with the participation of 2500 delegates. On Saturday, a meeting similar to that of Sibiu will take place in hundreds of European cities. There is the possibility of TV or web linkups with Sibiu.