Human trafficking and crime prevention partnership takes off
SAPS, LifeLine and Freedom Generation combine forces to educate youth
HUMAN trafficking is real and it is happening on our doorstep.
That was the message by Pastor Caroline Pitout of the KZN Human Trafficking, Pornography, Prostitution and Brothels (HPPB)Task Team, urging the 570 learners of the Siphumelele Secondary to be vigilant about the dangers of child sexual exploitation, forced labour and muthi murders.
Richards Bay SAP, represented by Capt Debbie Ferreira, W/O AB Mathonsi and Cst ZC Gcuma, as well as Sandra Adams of LifeLine Zululand and Pastor Pitout, rolled out a combined awareness campaign, focusing on educating teenagers about drugs, bullying and the growing human trafficking pandemic.
Their first stop on Monday, was Siphumelele Secondary in Mzingazi.
W/O Mathonsi sternly warned pupils about the long term repercussions of a criminal record, as the result of youthful folly, while Adams explained how to assertively deal with school bullies.
Pastor Pitout, founder of Freedom Generation SA, questioned children about their understanding of sex slavery, child labour and muthi murders, revealing that the majority had little knowledge about these subjects and how it could affect them.
According to Advocate Dawn Coleman of the KZN HPPB Task Team, many traffic victims are unaware they are in fact being trafficked, which is one of the reasons cases are seldom reported.
Pastor Pitout also urged pupils to immediately report rape and molestation.
