Dept offers aid to victims of trafficking
Department of Social Development is well-equipped to assist victims, both children and adults, of human trafficking.
POLOKWANE – The role played by the Department of Social Development in helping victims of human trafficking came under the spotlight last week, as Human Trafficking Awareness week was commemorated.
Departmental Spokesperson, Adele van der Linde, spoke to Review about the department’s readiness to assist.
She said the department is well-equipped to assist victims, both children and adults, of human trafficking.
She explained that any police official who suspects a child or adult of being a victim of human trafficking is obliged by law (Children’s Act and Prevention and Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act) to report the matter to the Department of Social Development within 24 hours of the incident.
If the case involves a child, a social worker will investigate in terms of the Children’s Act and may, pending such investigation, place the child in temporary safe care.
“In terms of the Children’s Act, an illegal foreign child who is a victim of human trafficking is a child in need of care and protection and is authorised to remain in South Africa for the duration of the child’s court order,” Van der Linde explained.
In the case of an adult victim, the department, after being notified by the police, must assess whether the person concerned is a victim of human trafficking, taking into consideration information obtained from the police.
Such an adult victim may be referred to an accredited organisation for care and protection for the purpose of a police investigation or criminal prosecution and for a recovery and reflection period.
“If the Department of Social Development is satisfied after completing the assessment that the person is a victim of human trafficking, the provincial head must immediately issue a letter of recognition,” Van der Linde said.
She added that the department has a number of child and youth care centres that accommodate child victims but that they only have one accredited shelter to accommodate adult victims.
“Should the department be unable to accommodate an influx of victims, such victims are referred to other provinces like Gauteng,” she explained.
Programmes offered by the department for victims of human trafficking include:
• Accommodation.
• Counselling services.
• Reintegration of adult victims into their families and communities.
• Provision of rehabilitation and therapeutic services.
• Provision of education and skills development programmes.
• Repatriation of victims from and to South Africa.
• Escorting of child victims of trafficking.
