People and Events

Catholic Woman of the Year

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Catholic Women of the Year Awards. Each year four women are selected from many submitted by people throughout the country. The aim of the Ceremony/Celebration is to show the range of service given by women in the Church.

Sister Ann Teresa, founder of the Medaille Trust, was one of these women honoured at a special celebratory Lunch, held in London on October 10th. She set up the Trust to help young women who have been trafficked to Britain and forced to work as sex-slaves. Many cannot speak English and have their passports and legal documentation taken from them. These young women find themselves trapped and cruelly treated. Many are from eastern Europe and believe that they are coming to a better life and therefore will be able to help their families back home. When they discover the reality of their situation they are unable to escape. Trafficking in persons is the fastest growing international criminal activity.

The Medaille Trust offers safe housing where physical and psychological healing can take place. The women are given opportunities to learn new skills whilst they recover from trauma. The vision of the Trust is to work for a world where the trafficking of humans, whether for sexual, economic or organ exploitation ceases.

Sister Ann Teresa has also been campaigning for more effective action on the part of governments across Europe to ban sex-trafficking and impose penalties on those organising and profiting from the trade.

For more information about the Trust, visit the website: www.medaille.co.uk

PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Catholic Woman of the Year