Police warn parents of dangers of entrapment into sex slavery
With the recent arrests of people believed to be involved in human trafficking in Springs, Capt. Johannes Ramphora, spokesperson for the Springs police, gives residents tips on how to keep their children from becoming victims.
Establish a ‘safe word’ with your child
When you are unable to pick your child up from school or have to make other arrangements, give your child a safe word that only they know.
Explain to your child that they must keep the word safely protected and not share it with anyone else.
Give the safe word to someone you trust and who will be picking up your child.
If the child is approached by a stranger who says they’ve been sent to take the child home, the child must first ask for the safe word.
If the stranger is unable to give the correct word, the child must immediately escape or raise a commotion to attract attention.
Immediately report the incident to the police with as much detail as possible.
Know what activity is taking place on your child’s cellphone/laptop
There are so many dangers associated with the internet today where children can easily be lured to dangerous places.
Children should stay in groups as much as possible and avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
Criminals usually target the weak, poor or vulnerable.
Ramphora warns those involved in human trafficking often turn up in fancy cars with fashionable clothes, designer handbags and sunglasses – everything a young woman would want.
They make empty promises, promising girls all of these nice things and more if they get into the car and leave with them.
As soon as the victims leave with the suspects, they are usually drugged and then forced into a life of sex slavery.
Report missing children immediately
There is no waiting period to report missing children. Parents need to report the missing child to the police as soon as possible, bring a recent photo of the child and have details of the clothes they were wearing on the day they disappeared.
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