Hillcrest SAPS places human trafficking in the spotlight

AS part of the Women’s Month campaign, Hillcrest SAPS encourages people to report human traffickers.

Human trafficking can be defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt or persons, by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, position of vulnerability, giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person or having the control over another person for the purpose of exploitation.

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Hillcrest SAPS communications officer, Capt Linzi Smith said human trafficking in its many forms exists due to individuals being vulnerable to exploitation. According to Smith victims of human trafficking are people of all ages, genders, races, countries, religious believers and socio-economic statuses.

“Human trafficking includes sexual exploitation, forced labour, debt – bondage, domestic servitude, organ harvesting and child exploitation.

“Some of the causes for human trafficking may include; abduction, falsified immigrations, poverty, unemployment, homelessness, war, natural disasters, demand for cheap labour, civil unrest, lack of access to employment, family disruption or dysfunction and economic disruption,” explained Smith.

She advised the public to be aware of the dangers of trusting strangers who offer them lifts; offer them fast paying jobs or free scholarships.

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“People need to guard themselves and know that if it seems too good to be true, it’s because most often they are. Often, people who are involved in human trafficking, lure young girls and boys with money and then send them off to other countries where they become slaves of cheap labour or get involved in forced prostitution and drugs,” warned Smith.

She also advised youngsters to be careful of befriending strangers on social media. With modern technology today, Smith said criminals can hide behind any false identity and can meet you in the safety of your bedroom, behind a screen on the computer on Facebook or Skype.

“Sometimes these underground human trafficking syndicates most often hide behind false identity profiles with fake photographs.

“Never meet a stranger from the internet alone, as most often it is dangerous and can put oneself in a very vulnerable situation and can result in one being kidnapped for human trafficking purposes,” she said.

Smith encouraged young girls and boys to seek advice and do proper research before accepting any offers that seem too good to be true, so as to make sure that the offers are legit.

“Another way of luring people is via responding to adverts for lift clubs and roommates. Never go alone. Always go in a group. It is imperative that everyone educate themselves on matters relating to human trafficking while becoming an active participant in the fight against human trafficking,” added Smith. 

To report individuals who you suspect are in the business of human trafficking, or get help for someone who you suspect is being trafficked, you can contact the following organisations:

Human Trafficking Resources on 0800-222-777 or via email at Trafficking@saps.gpv.za

Childline on 031 312-9092 or 0800-055-555 . You can visit them at 123 Percy Osborne Road in Windmere, Berea in Durban.

The Salvation Army on 031 202 2181. Visit them at 37 Cleaver Road, Berea in Durban.

The A21 Campaign on 021 551-0971 or via email at infosa@21.org.

The Forum, Northbank Lance Century City. National Freedom Network (NFN) 0800-222-777. Alternatively, email info@nationalfreedomnetwork.co.za

CrimeStop on 08600-10111. Visit their website at www.crimeline.co.za or utilise their SMS hotline on 32211.  

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