“Once they (survivors) know their own strength, they can be a protagonist in their own words.” These are the stirring words of Sr. Abby Avelino MM, our most recent guest on the HeroCast podcast. Sister Abby belongs to the Maryknoll Sisters of Saint Dominic and currently serves as the International Coordinator of Talitha Kum, an international network of consecrated life dedicated to combatting human trafficking.
The mission of HeroCast, hosted by Dr. Alessandra Campo, is to explore real-life safeguarding
through the lens of superhero stories, highlighting everyday heroes who work to create safer
communities and uplift the human dignity of others.
The fictional hero chosen for this episode is Atlanna, the mother of DC’s Aquaman. Her story
lends itself to the themes of this episode because, despite her immense power, she faced
hardships such as forced marriage and sexual abuse that reflect the real-world issues related to
Sister Abby’s work.
Born in the Philippines, Sister Abby was raised in the United States and, after entering religious
life, spent 16 years in Tokyo, Japan as a pastoral worker. During that time, Sister Abby supported
migrants, especially Filipino women, many of whom were victims of trafficking. These
experiences inspired her to dedicate herself to anti-trafficking ministry and led her to her
involvement with Talitha Kum.
The insightful and thought-provoking conversation between the two women centers on Sister
Abby’s experience working with victims of human trafficking and systemic issues such as
poverty, child labor, forced marriages, and exploitation. In addition, Sister Abby discusses how
her faith informs her role as a safeguarding professional and the critical importance of raising
awareness and promoting education on these issues.
“As women religious, this is what we do,” she said. “Be courageous enough to speak about the
issue. Be courageous enough to walk with the people. We open our eyes, open our ears, and, of
course, open our hearts. Don’t look away. That is what Jesus said. We cannot look away.”
Listeners can tune into HeroCast on Spotify or IADC’s YouTube channel, @iadcpug. Stay tuned
for an upcoming episode releasing soon.