SA observes Human Trafficking Awareness Week

Human trafficking is again in the spotlight.

The first week of October every year is marked as National Trafficking in Persons Awareness Week in South Africa, in efforts to increase awareness of this criminal activity.

During this week, South African law enforcement agencies which include the National Trafficking in Persons Task Team, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and all provincial Trafficking in Persons Task Teams co-ordinate events aimed at raising public awareness on Trafficking in Persons to prevent the scourge of the horrendous crime, which exploits society’s most vulnerable populations.

Trafficking involves the act of selling, recruitment, transportation, delivery, transfer, exchange, leasing, harbouring or receipt of a person and can occur over international as well as national borders.

It is done by means of abuse of power over a person’s position of vulnerability, threats, kidnapping, deception and payments for the purpose of exploitation.

The NPA’s Natasha Ramkisson said that this year’s key message for the week was ‘Victims’ voices lead the way,’ and was a continuation of the theme from the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons which is celebrated annually on 30 July.

‘This year’s theme put victims of human trafficking at the centre of the campaign and highlighted the importance of listening to and learning from survivors.

‘The campaign portrays survivors as key actors in the fight against trafficking and focuses on the crucial role they play in establishing effective measures to prevent this crime, identify and rescue victims and support them on their road to rehabilitation,’ she said.

Ramkisson added that the Human Trafficking, Harmful Traditional Practices, Prostitution, Pornography and Brothels Task Team – which is chaired by the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs unit of the NPA, was also facilitating a number of webinars during the week.

Human trafficking is reportedly the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry across the globe, and has been described as ‘modern day slavery’ for its recruitment, control, and use of force.

This crime ruthlessly abuses women, children and men for numerous types of activities including all forms of practices similar to slavery such as sexual exploitation, forced/child labour and even the removal of body parts or the impregnation of a female person against her will for the purposes of selling her child once it is born.

Exacerbated by Covid According to A21, an international NPO which aims to abolish human trafficking and modern-day slavery, Covid lockdown and the restrictions imposed due to the virus were major factors in increasing vulnerability to trafficking. Increased unemployment led to desperation and vulnerability, causing individuals to accept job offers despite having limited details of the role and company.

‘There are two major changes we are seeing. First, children and teens are spending a lot more time online and therefore traffickers are using these platforms as a major opportunity for recruitment.

Second, the number of people who are being lured by the promise of a false job opportunity is growing exponentially,’ a report said.

A21 added that individuals were even willing to take heightened risks in accepting jobs across the country or abroad, despite travel restrictions and border closures. Dawn Coleman-Malinga – the NPA’s senior state advocate in the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs unit, lists some of the telling signs that a person may be a victim of Trafficking in Persons:

· Evidence of being controlled
· Bruises/other signs of physical abuse
· Fear/depression
· No passport/other forms of identification or documentation
· Shows signs of drug addiction
· Receives little/no payment for work done
· No days off or work excessively long hours
· Has no access to their earnings.