Join Red Light’s fight against human trafficking

IT starts off with the three Rs – Reach out, Restore and Release – said Esther Madikane, Release Co-ordinator for Red Light.

Madikane spoke to Northglen News in light of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which takes place today, July 30. This year’s theme highlights the importance of listening to and learning from survivors of human trafficking.

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“Our main aim is to assist human trafficking victims and sex workers. We work with organisations who go to the streets and get conversations going with the women. Through relationship-building, we have found that over 80% of these women have been forced into prostitution,” said Madikane.

“Not all women who are sex workers actually want to be doing what they are doing. Most of the time, the ladies themselves ask for help. Some brothel owners are very opened to letting us in. We work with numerous organisations who are currently doing street ministry and they refer the ladies to us. We identify trafficking victims through sex workers,” she said.

Once contact is made, an intake assessment is done where Red Light finds out about the women and the programme begins. Madikane’s colleague Gugu Mazwele facilitates as the Restore Co-ordinator.

“The duration of the restore phase is about eight weeks before moving into the release phase. The restore phase takes about 16 weeks and is followed with an assessment to see if the beneficiary is ready to move to the next chapter in life. Everyone progresses differently,” said Madikane.

During the restore phase, Red Light works on building the victim to a place of dignity, wholeness, and to enable them to walk with purpose and dignity.

“We want these women to realise their purpose and to make them feel good again. Through therapy, we help them identify their strengths and then assist them with using those strengths to better their lives,” she said.

The release phase does just that, releases survivors back into the world, with skills, knowledge and practical tools.

“Some of these women are extremely talented and have hopes of starting their own businesses.

The challenge that Red Light experiences is finding a place for beneficiaries to live while they complete the programme.

“We had a case of a 17-year-old trafficking victim from Chatsworth who was trafficked by a community member and sold to a Nigerian in Cape Town. She worked as a sex worker for six years before finally reaching out. We were able to place her a place to stay at Open Door Crisis Centre,” said Madikane,

“The community member was a female and the victim saw cash being exchanged for her,” she added.

Red Light works with organisations such as Anthem Recovery, A21, Kwanele Survivor Movement, Love Ministries, Open Door Crisis Centre, Umgeni Community Empowerment Centre, Tru Life, Life Line, National Freedom Network.

For more information, to assist or volunteer, visit https://www.dominofoundation.org.za/red-light/