On Saturday September 16, St. John’s Springfield hosted a Human Trafficking Workshop for men. The event was organized by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, and lunches were provided by Saint Francis Community Services.

During the course of the day we heard some very harrowing stories about human trafficking from Mike McDonnell and Fr. Brian McVey. And they made it very clear that a large proportion of the demand for human trafficking can be laid at the feet of men.

You can read Mike McDonnell’s paper is this issue of Spirit – but be warned it does not make for comfortable reading.

Mike McDonnell presents details of the breadth of the human trafficking problem. Image credit: Gary Allman

keynote Speaker, Fr. Brian McVey, talks about his work with the victims of human trafficking. Image credit: Gary Allman

Fr. Brian McVey, Church of the Advent, Nashville, is interviewed by the by the Springfield media during the Human Trafficking workshop. Image credit: Gary Allman

The Rev. Dr. Louis “Smokey” Oats, Saint Francis Community Services addresses the Human Trafficking Workshop. Image credit: Gary Allman

The Rev. Dr. Louis “Smokey” Oats, Saint Francis Community Services addresses the Human Trafficking Workshop. Image credit: Gary Allman

Jeffrey Butcher, President of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew closes the Human Trafficking Workshop organized by the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Image credit: Gary Allman

Gary Allman is Communications Director with The Diocese of West Missouri.