699km walk to probe the brutality of human trafficking
20 supporters of The Open Door Crisis Care Centre alongside 20 SAPS members embarked on a journey from Durban to Johannesburg to raise awareness about the reality and brutality of human trafficking crimes
Tricked. Transported. Trapped and used, are the positions that human trafficking victims are persuaded into. “Walking to Freedom” is a Human Trafficking Awareness Walk of 699km, which commenced on Saturday, May 2 at the Durban City Hall at 6am. There a dignitary from the Ethekwini Municipality delivered a speech on behalf of the city of Durban and dignitaries from the SAPS (South African Police Service), The Open Door and The Human Trafficking Task Team also gave short messages.
20 supporters of The Open Door Crisis Care Centre alongside 20 SAPS members embarked on a journey from Durban to Johannesburg to raise awareness about the reality and brutality of human trafficking crimes within South Africa. The aim of the walk is to deliver vital educational messages throughout South Africa, where little is known about human trafficking and the dangers it may pose. On Sunday two of the four teams stopped at the Estcourt Police Station to deliver a presentation to members of SAPS, a local youth board and some youngsters who attended.
Youth lined up in front of the police station loudly singing: “Stop human trafficking and abuse against women and children,” as they held up large signs and placards and handed pamphlets and stickers to passers-by and drivers. 120km are to be walked by each team on each of the seven days.
On Sunday evening the four teams slept over in Winterton, their next stops would be Kestell, Tweeling, Deneysville and Johannesburg.
In Johannesburg on May 8 there will be a closing ceremony held at the Nelson Mandela Square where a message from the Mayor of Durban James Nxumalo, will be handed over to a municipal dignitary from the city of Johannesburg. The statistics left everyone rattled when the Director of The Open Door Crisis Care Centre Thora Mansfield gave a presentation on human trafficking.
“Although trafficking is the second largest organised crime in the world, it is largely under reported and unheard of,” she enlightened.
She went on to elaborate on the physical and psychological effects that human trafficking has on its victims.
Thereafter a light lunch was served to all present.
