WHITE RIVER – “No girl grows up wanting to be a prostitute.” These were the words of a sex worker who spoke to Lowvelder at the offices of Child Welfare about the sex-trade industry and human-trafficking situation in the area.
Five sex workers spoke frankly about their work and the dangers they faced daily in the industry.
“Most of the young girls from Mozambique and Swaziland are transported to South Africa with the truckers.” They all stated that the men that solicit their services equally, were from various backgrounds, races and religions.
“We get a few men that just want to talk, or a tourist that takes us around the province as they don’t want to be alone and need someone to talk to.”
The women claimed the men mostly paid between R70 to R100 for their services.
“We would feel safer if we had a home since as we have to stand on the streets, they can take us anywhere and we are at their mercy.”
Most of the females said they ended up in the business because they had been sexually abused at home and some were teenage mothers. “I had no one to help me raise my child and I didn’t have any education to obtain a job, I was desperate to feed my baby.
“Some men pick us up pretending to want our services and then start punching us in the face, rob us and throw us out of their vehicles.
“One night I thought I was going to die. Two men picked me up claiming they wanted me to their house in Valencia. When we got as far as
Tiger Wheel and Tyre, I realised that they wanted to harm me. They confirmed the feeling I had when they told me they wanted to kill me. I jumped out the car and ran for my life.”
All of the women agreed that they could not go to police for help when they were threatened, attacked, assaulted or robbed by their solicitors. “The police tell us to go away and they normally rob us as well. Some insist on having sex with us for free. They even come to us with their SAPS vehicles and still in their uniforms during
the day.”
They claimed during holiday periods, the number of young girls increases as schools break up. “There are girls from 12 to 16 on the streets then and the men prefer them. But it is dangerous as they just go with anybody. They don’t look to see if the client is safe.
“One customer made me undress and turn around, something just told me to look back at him and that was when I saw he had a huge bottle in his hand, I knew what he wanted to do so I ran away.”
The females confirmed they would leave the industry if they were able to find alternative employment. Child Welfare SA White River operations manager, Mr Johan Bosch, said as an organisation, it was concerned about the growing number of young girls entering the trade.
Anyone wanting to help sex workers to rehabilitate into society can contact the Child Welfare White River office on 013-750-1001.
