Domestic Watch deals with child trafficking
At the June meeting of Domestic Watch held at Sasol Garage, Suideroord, the meeting focused on child trafficking and missing children.
SUIDEROORD – The meeting was coordinated by Michelle Pelser and Martin Barber (SOS Security) presented the lesson.
“No child is safe and the majority of targets are girls between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. Boys and men are also targeted for forced labour, child laundering, recruitment of child soldiers and male prostitution,” said Barber.
Once a child is kidnapped they are sold and are used for commercial sexual exploitation, prostitution, forced labour, organ transplanting, recruitment as child soldiers, for use in begging, child laundering and more.
Barber said, “Often children are gang raped and forced into prostitution. They are hit, threatened and drugged and often kept prisoners.
“Children are forced to take drugs so they have to rely on their abductors. Many of the victims who do manage to escape refuse to speak of their experiences,” he added.
What to do if a child has gone missing
Do NOT wait 24 hours before you go to a police station.
After a completion of a SAPS55 document at the police station, contact Missing Children SA 072 647 7464, email/fax information on the child, situation, etc, the Case Number, SAPS officer involved and a photo to: judy@missingchildren.org.za and info@missingchildren.org.za. Keep Missing Children informed of any progress.
Missing Children will distribute flyers with the above information to different parties in the relevant province and Nationally if needs be. They will also keep both the family and SAPS working on the case informed and updated on any relevant information.
A child is considered a child between the ages of birth and 18 years old. If you know a child has been abused call your local police station and speak to the Social Crime Prevention Officer, even if you don’t know who committed the abuse.
Important phone numbers
Teddy Bear Clinic – 011 484 4554
Women and Men Against Child Abuse (Boksburg) 011 789 8815
Child Welfare – 011 298 8500
Child Line – 011 645 2000
Dept of Social Development – 011 355 7827
Kids Clinic (Boksburg) – 011 892 0404/5/6
FAMSA (For Recovery of Therapy after Abuse) – 011 833 2057.
All of the above work with child abuse cases. If you suspect a child is being abused call any of the above numbers that you can get through to the quickest and the one which responds the quickest, is the one you should deal with. They all work closely together on child abuse cases.
If you require immediate assistance phone Michelle Pelser 084 292 9144. “I am always available if a child goes missing. Do not wait 24 hours to report any child who has gone missing. Do it immediately you suspect your child is missing,” she said.
The next Domestic Watch meeting is on Tuesday July 8 at 10:00 at Sasol Garage, Swartgoud Street, Suideroord.
For more information about the meetings please phone Michelle Pelser 084 292 9144.
