We’ve been reading and taking in a plethora of information regarding human trafficking.
Is it a reality, does it happen here, where does it occur? According to an abolitionist and human trafficking activist, Romita Hanuman-Pillay, human trafficking awareness is key to reducing the challenge and that society needs to recognise it as a reality. “According to the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in South Africa, and traffickers exploit victims from South Africa abroad. Traffickers recruit victims from poor countries and poor or rural areas within South Africa.”
This happens in urban centres, particularly in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Bloemfontein,” said Hanuman-Pillay. The TIP report is collated by the United States Department of State where every country needs to report their human trafficking statistics. Hanuman-Pillay added that last year; South Africa was placed on a Tier 2 status, but has since been downgraded to the Tier 2 Watchlist status. The report also outlines that South African trafficking rings exploit girls as young as 10 years old in sex trafficking. In some cases, traditional family practices contributed to victims’ vulnerability to traffickers. For example, the practice of ukuthwala continued, the abduction of girls as young as 14 for forced marriage, particularly in remote villages in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KZN provinces; girls in forced marriage are vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labour by their husbands. Traffickers also force foreign and South African LGBTQI+ persons to engage in commercial sex acts. Traffickers sometimes employ forced drug use to coerce sex trafficking victims. Additionally, to a lesser extent, syndicates recruit South African women to Europe and Asia, where traffickers force some into commercial sex, domestic service, or drug smuggling.
Hanuman-Pillay said that people need to recognise signs of suspicious behaviour and should always consult an adult or a law enforcement official if they feel something is amiss. “I appeal to everyone to please be vigilant as human trafficking occurs. It could happen to you, your child, friend or your family member. It can also happen because of a family member. Please stay safe and do not alert people to your whereabouts on social media. This one of the most lucrative avenues that traffickers use to lure victims.” The National Human Trafficking helpline is 0800-222-777.
