An Introduction to Human Trafficking

Most of us are unaware that the second largest organised crime in the world is Human Trafficking. One of the features of Human Trafficking is its covertness; it is highly inconspicuous unless looked for. It happens wherever people exist: malls, churches, schools, and it favours no specific socio-economic class, country or race. It is everywhere, 54% of Human Trafficking cases involve strangers and the other 46% of cases involve someone the victim already knows.

Educating yourself and those around you is an important element for us to see Human Trafficking eradicated in our world today.

Human Trafficking is modern day slavery; trading in people with the intention of exploiting them. Exploitation could include using people for personal gain, for profits of large sums of money or for the use of free labour.

As per South African legislation, the following 3 components are necessary for a case to classify as trafficking:

Mobilization: Any person who delivers, recruits, transports, transfers, harbours, sells, exchanges, leases or receives another person within or across the borders of the Republic.
Means: By means of threat of harm, threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, the abuse of vulnerability, fraud, deception, abduction, kidnapping, the abuse of power, direct or indirect giving or receiving of payments or benefits to obtain the consent of a person having control or authority over another person, the direct or indirect giving or receiving of payments, compensation, rewards, benefits or any other advantage aimed at either the person or an immediate family member of that person or any other person in close relationship to that person.
Exploitation: For the purpose of any form or manner of exploitation.All forms of slavery, similar practices, sexual exploitation, servitude, forced labour, child labour, removal of body parts, forced impregnation with a purpose of selling the child, forced marriage for exploitation and adoption for exploitation.

“Human Trafficking is not a crime that calls out “Here I am!” It will often not be seen if it is not looked for.” ~ A Tangled Web (MMA Report)

Types of Human Trafficking

1. Sexual Exploitation

Types of sexual exploitation:

Forced Prostitution
Pornography
Stripping
Exotic Dancing
Touch and Peep Shows
Escort Services
‘Training’ to deal with clients who have particular fetishes

Industry examples include:

Brothels
“Massage” Parlours
Fetish Clubs
Classified Ads
“Gentlemen’s Clubs”

2. Child Exploitation

Any work that is unsuitable for the child and that will have negative impact on their social, mental, physical or emotional development.

Industry examples include:

Make Up (Mica Mineral)
Clothing
Carpets and Textile
War (Child Soldiers)
Coco Harvesting

3. Forced Labour

Difficult, dirty or dangerous jobs.

Industry examples include:

Fishing
Mining
Agricultural

4. Domestic Servitude:

Forced to work long hours (12–16 hour days)
Not allowed to leave, or call home
Often not paid
Often includes other abuse too.

Industry examples:

Private Homes
Hospitality Industry
Au Pair Industry

5. Forced Marriages

Often much older men abducting or buying much younger girls.
Distortion of traditional cultural practices.

6. Organ and Body Part Trafficking

This is the forced removal and illegal sale of organs / body parts.

Industry examples:

Black Market
“Muthi”
Medical Field (those willing to pay very high sums to skip the ‘system’)

How does this happen?

The local context and specific situation will determine who is most at risk and how they will be exploited.

Traffickers can be:

Gangs & Organised Crime Syndicates
Friends
Family Members
Acquaintances (someone who knows someone)
54% of cases involve strangers vs 46% of cases involve someone the victim already knows.

Facilitators include:

Brothel & Strip Club Owners and Pimps
Transport Providers
Government Officials
Professional Individuals

Red Flags

The following Red Flags can be used to help identify potential Human Trafficking cases. If you have come across an incident that may have the following Red Flags it is important to report that to your local police station or to the HFW contact line.

No local dialects
New arrival in the country
Lack of documentation / documents controlled by someone else
Debt bondage
Child accompanied by an unrelated adult
Submissive / signs of fear / depression / extreme nervousness
Lack of freedom to move
Watched 24/7 or living with employer
Poor living conditions
Answers appear scripted or rehearsed
Give a vague / inconsistent explanation of where they live and work
Appears to move location frequently
Unpaid or paid very little
Stockholm Syndrome
Under 18 and in prostitution / providing commercial sex acts
Serious injuries left untreated & vague or reluctant to explain
Evidence of long term multiple injuries
Signs of physical abuse or general physical neglect
Branding tattoos
Indications of mental, physical or sexual trauma
Sexually transmitted infections
Pregnant / previous abortions
Drug addiction
Disordered eating or poor nutrition
Evidence of self-harm
Dental pain
Fatigue
Non-specific symptoms of PTSD
Symptoms of psychiatric and psychological distress
Back or stomach pain, skin problems, headaches and dizzy spells

What can you do?

Be a Voice

Awareness is a huge need in South Africa — the average South African doesn’t know that Human Trafficking is a problem in our country. Email admin@hopeforwomen.co.za for more details on our Anti-Human Trafficking Workshops.