Marie-Hélène Halligon

Marie-Hélène Halligon is a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd from France. With a background in psychology, she served as a special education teacher, opened a shelter for women victims of violence, began a congregational spirituality center, and for 12 years directed a home for pregnant teenagers. After serving as provincial councilor and bursar, she returned to France to work against trafficking in France and Europe. She was involved at the beginning of RENATE (Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation — the European branch of Talitha Kum). Currently living in Strasbourg, she is the official representative of RENATE for the Council of Europe's Conference of INGOs (international nongovernmental organizations), working to get survivors' voices heard in the Council of Europe.

By this Author

Good Shepherd Sr. Marie-Hélène Halligon, left, teaches the French language to a survivor of trafficking. (Courtesy of Marie-Hélène Halligon)

Making the fight against trafficking a priority for 25 years

As a representative of RENATE, I've committed myself to being the voice of victims of trafficking heard at the Council of Europe — a mission that reflects the charism of my congregation of Good Shepherd sisters.