[WATCH VIDEO] Spotlight on human trafficking in Amanzimtoti

Is human trafficking rife in the Durban South area and should parents be aware of the dangers? Estelle van Eeden, the director of Sparrow Trust and member of the provincial human trafficking, harmful traditional practices, prostitution, pornography and brothels task team, and National Freedom Network of South Africa, believes it is a matter of great concern. She said South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for victims, as historically, it is proven that cities with access to harbours and airports are prime hotspots.

The 2020 trafficking in persons report confirms that Durban and surrounds is both a recruitment hub, as well as a destination point for the exploitation of men, women, and children. “I cannot comment on whether human trafficking as a singular crime is rife in our area, as trafficking in persons is often a ‘hidden crime’, occurring in conjunction with illicit activities such as drug abuse, prostitution, brothels and other organised crime, as well as in the informal sectors and unregulated sectors.”

The crimes perpetrated against a child, which may interlink into their status as a trafficking victim, often includes crimes such as rape, assault and kidnapping. “However, children are exploited within communities while living seemingly ‘normal’ lives. This often happens via social media platforms where minors seek out connection and a sense of belonging. Here they befriend seemingly harmless individuals who intentionally seek out at risk children, whose trust they can gain, for the purpose of exploiting their vulnerability through a process called grooming.

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These minors are then coerced into sending nude photographs of themselves to the predator. Such images are child sexual abuse material and are illegal. This is a form of exploitation that is as damaging and dehumanising as an act of kidnapping or human trafficking.” Asked if this is increasing, she replied: “There is a need to understand the reality between an actual increase in incidents of human trafficking, exploitation and gender-based violence, and the marked increase in reporting due to effective awareness campaigns and victim empowerment services.

Reliable and verifiable statistics for the specific crime of trafficking in SA are not available to us at this time.” The spike in video clips and social media posts regarding missing children has clarified the many reasons why children go missing. These include those who run away from home, those who go missing and are found deceased, families who falsely report their children as missing and parental abductions. “Children are also kidnapped, usually for a specific motive or reason, such as for ransom, for the purpose of exploitation and human trafficking, or because the perpetrator wants the opportunity to raise a child.” Estelle believes it can either be a crime of opportunity or a strategically planned one, depending on the purpose for which the child is being taken. “Orphans or those who live on the streets, in child-headed homes and dysfunctional families are at a higher risk of falling prey to those looking to take advantage of their vulnerability.

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These are heinous crimes that do not discriminate based on age, gender, race or social status. Traffickers and recruiters tend to target people and areas where there is poverty, unemployment, few educational opportunities, gender discrimination, regional conflict and lack of alternative lifestyles.” What ages are most vulnerable and what happens to people who are abducted depends on the motive of the perpetrator. Statistics from Missing Children South Africa, an NPO that works closely with SAPS when a child goes missing, indicate that about 77% of children are found, while 23% are found deceased, never located or are believed to be victims of trafficking.

There are cases where abducted children were who fortunate to be rescued and returned home to lead a ‘normal ’ life, but they and their families are forever impacted by such a traumatic event, mandating that they receive maximum social support and professional counselling. If you witness a kidnapping or are aware of a potential kidnapping, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline on 080-022-2777.

Even if something just looks suspicious, it is much safer to report it. “Every South African is bound by the Constitution to uphold the dignity and well-being of children. Exploitation and crimes against children happen when individuals neglect their responsibility and the right of children to be nurtured and protected. Exploitation happens when a child’s right to be valued and not to be dehumanised, objectified, or viewed as an item to trade, is denied.

These heinous crimes are rampant and we can collectively stop them by believing a victim, no matter how young they are, and by reporting it. No act of violence or violation should go without punishment and every victim deserves justice and access to emotional support and restoration.” If you are aware of any form of child abuse, report it to Childline on 080-005-5555.

There are four types of abuse: Physical abuse includes rape, molestation, exposing a child to pornographic material, or photographing a child in the nude, which is the production of child sexual abuse material and is a criminal offence. Neglect includes physical neglect, educational neglect and emotional neglect. Emotional abuse includes verbal, mental or psychological abuse.

“During October and November we will be working with local partners to launch the #CanYouSeeMe awareness campaign and our social media campaigns on Facebook and TikTok. Schools are safe zones, thus it is crucial to get our children who are most at risk to exploitation and who are exposed to domestic violence and abuse at home back to school as soon as possible. We are excited to be launching our #GetOurKidsBackToSchool project, which is a fundraising initiative that ensures that children in our target group are able to access safe and reliable transport to get them back to their safe place for the duration of 2020,” said Estelle. For more information, call her on 082-263-9710 or email hope@sparrowtrust.co.za.  

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