Protecting children from human trafficking

IN keeping with its mission of creating awareness of and offering training to combat human trafficking, Freedom Generation will next week launch its new human trafficking resource for children.

‘Over the time of our existence we have realised we are facing a problem with children – Grade RR to Grade 3 – falling victim to human trafficking,’ said Freedom Generation’s Caroline Pitout.

‘Human trafficking is a horrid subject to address, yet so many children are victims. We don’t want to scare them, but we can’t ignore the realities.’

And so the idea of an educational colouring-in book was born.

‘We decided to develop an illustrated colouring book educating children on understanding human trafficking.

‘One of the major challenges in the development was the fact that human trafficking is such a complex crime.

‘For example, parents sell their own children, the victim knows the perpetrator and consideration had to be given about what is a practical route of assistance for a child of that age?’

The booklet assists children in identifying the common dangers of trafficking and gives simple and practical answers to protect themselves.

‘There are so many problems children face and it seems that protection is a survival method.

‘We didn’t want to communicate survival, so we decided to empower a child to want to be someone. That someone is a superhero called Frankie or Geena.

‘Throughout the book they will identify with Frankie and Geena, aspiring to be like them and the best news is that they will receive a certificate once they have completed the ‘School for Superheroes’.’

Pitout said the book is an educational resource and intended to be used in a classroom environment.

‘This is not a book that gets sent home and used when a child is bored.’

Schools and organisations that want to make use of this resource will be trained either by Freedom Generation or one of its recognised partners.

The school will be asked to sign an accountability form, agreeing to the conditions.

The official launch date is next Wednesday, 11 April, at 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Outlook Church in Birdswood.

To RSVP, email info@freedomgeneration.co.za.