How locals can stay safe from human trafficking this festive season
The government identified 83 trafficking victims and referred 74 victims to care, compared with identifying 16 victims in the previous reporting period.
According to the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) annual report the number of people trapped in human trafficking more than doubled in the 2021-2022 financial year in South Africa.
ALSO READ: Human trafficking remains a big challenge to local law enforcement
The government identified 83 trafficking victims and referred 74 victims to care, compared with identifying 16 victims in the previous reporting period.
South Africa remains on the tier two watch list of the TIP rankings for the second consecutive year.
NPOs identified and referred to care for an additional 24 child trafficking victims and identified 62 potential victims through transit monitoring.
The government’s ongoing investigations and prosecutions involved 426 survivors, including those identified in previous reporting periods, compared with 226 survivors in 2020, 377 survivors in 2019 and 260 survivors in 2018.
NGOs reported on the official statistics did not reflect the scope of trafficking, since institutional problems resulted in many victims remaining unidentified by the government.
ALSO READ: Gauteng is human trafficking hot spot
The 2022 report assessed 188 countries and territories for crimes relating to the exploitation of adults and children by forcing them into labour or commercial sex.
Tips to protect yourself this festive season from human traffickers include:
• Keep important contact numbers on you and if you visiting another country, know the number of the South African embassy in the country you visit.
• Arrange that if your family has not heard from you within a certain period, they should contact you, the embassy police or the international organisation for migration.
• Travel with a certified copy of your passport if you are in another country should an emergency emerge.
• Never give your passport to anyone.
• Always inform your relatives of your whereabouts and who you are with.
• Never accept drinks, food or money from strangers.
Earlier this year Gauteng, including serval Ekurhuleni areas, was named a hotspot for human trafficking.
This was according to the #TheTraffickYouNeedToKnow campaign implemented by NGOs a21, the National Freedom Network, and Think Creative Africa.
Report any human trafficking suspicions to 0800 222 777 or visit 0800222777.org.za or www.a21.org or www.nfn.org.za for more information.
Also follow us on:
 
 
 
