Salvatorian Sister Maria Schlackl: "These are human beings, not commodities"
On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, Salvatorian Sister Maria Schlackl SDS draws attention to the dramatic situation of victims of sexual exploitation in Austria. A long-time expert on human trafficking, she calls for legal reforms and a stronger public awareness of the causes and consequences of human trafficking.
Sexual Exploitation Demands Attention and Action
Many people underestimate the extent to which Austria is affected by human trafficking. This is the warning of Sr. Maria Schlackl, founder of the initiative Active Against Human Trafficking – Active for Human Dignity. Women and girls from abroad are particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation in Austria. According to her, more than 90 percent of those exploited in prostitution come from other countries. Recent police reports also indicate an increasing number of trafficking victims from China.
For Sr. Maria Schlackl, one thing is clear: sexual exploitation exists because there is demand. Those who purchase sexual services contribute to sustaining the market that enables human trafficking. Therefore, not only traffickers but also those who profit from or fuel this system must be held accountable. “These are human beings, not commodities,” the Salvatorian Sister emphasizes.
She is also critical of Austria's current prostitution laws. In her view, they facilitate the exploitation of women while largely ignoring the connection between prostitution and human trafficking. She likewise questions the term sex work, arguing that it obscures the reality faced by many women and girls who have been forced or trafficked into prostitution. She is especially concerned about the growing number of children under the age of 14 who become victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Raising Awareness to Combat Human Trafficking
Alongside legal reforms, Sr. Maria Schlackl believes that society as a whole must change its attitudes. Sexist language, misogynistic jokes, and digital forms of sexualized violence should never be trivialized. Recent international investigations, together with cases uncovered in Austria and Switzerland, demonstrate the many disturbing forms that sexual exploitation takes today.
Through her initiative „Aktiv gegen Menschenhandel – aktiv für Menschenwürde“ (Active Against Human Trafficking – Active for Human Dignity), supported by SOLWODI (Solidarity with Women in Distress), Sr. Maria Schlackl has been promoting awareness and prevention for many years. Lectures, panel discussions, and personal encounters help explain the link between the purchase of sexual services and human trafficking while fostering greater respect for the dignity of those affected.
The next major event will be a conference on October 18 at the ORF Regional Studio in Upper Austria. Experts from various fields will discuss the causes and consequences of sexual exploitation as well as possible legal and political responses.
SOLWODI („Solidarity with Women in Distress“) was founded in Kenya in 1985 by Sister Lea Ackermann. The Austrian association was established by several religious congregations, including the Salvatorian Sisters, and supports women affected by human trafficking, violence, and exploitation. Its mission is to accompany survivors on their journey toward an independent and self-determined life while also advocating for lasting social change.
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