No to human trafficking
JOBURG - Only one percent of human traffickers are ever convicted.
JOBURG – Hope for Women and Freedom Restoration recently joined forces with the management of Clearwater Mall in Strubens Valley to spread much-needed awareness on the reality of human trafficking.
Wendy McKillop explained that human trafficking is the exploitation of men, women and children. “It is holding a person against their will; buying and selling people and exploiting them through sexual use and abuse, forced labour, domestic servitude, debt bondage, forced marriage and for the purpose of harvesting organs,” said McKillop.
She elaborated and said that 27 million people worldwide are currently held captive in some form of slavery. A shocking statistic is that only 1 to 2per cent of traffickers are ever convicted and 99 per cent of victims are never rescued.
The initiative was held in Roodepoort because, according to McKillop, the West Rand is a hotspot for both human trafficking and drug trafficking. Figures are only an estimate, resulting from surveys and studies carried out by organisations where data has been collected and reconciled.
According to the Global Slavery Index 2016, of the 167 countries that took part in this particular survey, South Africa is the 28th most targeted country for modern-day slavery or human trafficking. The estimated number of people in modern-day slavery in South Africa is approximately 248 700. While 238 000 are in forced labour (various industries) and 10 600 are in forced marriages.
These industries include 43per cent in the sex industry, 11per cent in construction, 8per cent in drug production, 5per cent in farming, 4per cent in domestic servitude and 4per cent in retail.
Hope for Women creates awareness against human trafficking and pornography. McKillop said they focus on rescue, restrain, restore and reintegrate. Freedom Restoration is a new organisation, its objective is to provide a safe haven, to bring spiritual and emotional wholeness to individuals, families and victims of any form of crisis, abuse, trauma and exploitation.
Details: Hope for Women 071 183 9201.
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