Things You Must Know About Human Trafficking in South Africa
Human trafficking involves the exploitation of another person for profit or personal gain. It is often referred to as modern-day slavery and involves forced labor, servitude, or sexual exploitation. There are no reliable statistics on the extent of human trafficking in South Africa. However, research done by Professor Sarah Newberger from the University of Cape Town shows that human traffickers target young girls and women for sex work and marriage. Many victims are also trafficked for their organs and blood. These victims are usually from the lower classes who may be manipulated by false promises of a job and a better life. South Africa’s history of social inequality, high unemployment rate, inadequate education system, poverty, and other factors combine to make it an ideal target for traffickers looking to exploit people. Keep reading to learn more about human trafficking in South Africa.
What are the key drivers of human trafficking in SA?
Many factors drive human trafficking in South Africa. These factors include the high poverty rate, inadequate social services, low prosecution rates, and high unemployment rates. Poverty drives people to do whatever is necessary to survive, including selling their bodies or those of their children. People who have experienced a breakdown in social services are even more susceptible to false promises of a better life. The lack of adequate social services and the high unemployment rate make it difficult for victims to access help. Women and children are especially at risk, as they are often less empowered than men.
Children and teenagers at risk of trafficking
Children and teenagers are highly at risk of trafficking in South Africa. Poverty, child labor, and child neglect make minors especially vulnerable to traffickers. Teenagers often engage in child labor to help support their families. Some teenagers are lured by false promises of a better life and are then trafficked for sex work. Young girls are especially susceptible to trafficking because they are often less empowered than boys. People usually take advantage of girls’ and children’s innocence and vulnerability.
Women and girls at risk of trafficking
Women are the most commonly trafficked victims in South Africa. Some women are tricked into sex work by false promises of a better life. Women from the lower classes are especially at risk of trafficking, as they often lack the education and opportunities available to women from more affluent backgrounds. Many women are also trafficked for their organs and blood. Women in abusive relationships are also at risk of trafficking. Sometimes, traffickers approach women in abusive relationships and promise to help them escape their situation. Once these women are in a trafficker’s trap, they are often unable to escape. Many women are trafficked for their organs and blood. Organ trafficking is especially prevalent among those who need organ transplants. Traffickers approach people needing an organ transplant and promise to provide them with a transplant for a fee. Sometimes, people needing an organ transplant are even approached by their doctors, who tell them that the only way they can get a transplant is to pay for it themselves. These people are often unaware that their doctor is working with a trafficker.
Other people at risk of trafficking
Men and boys of any economic background are at risk of trafficking. Men and boys are often trafficked for forced labor, child labor, and forced marriage. People with mental health issues are also at risk of being trafficked. Social and economically marginalized men and boys are especially at risk of trafficking. People with mental health issues are at risk of being trafficked because they might not be able to recognize false promises or understand the consequences of accepting someone’s offer of help. Traffickers often target people with mental health issues because they are less likely to be able to recognize false promises or understand the consequences of accepting someone’s offer of help. People with mental health issues are often taken advantage of because of their lack of understanding and inability to defend themselves.
Legislation against Human Trafficking in SA
The South African government has passed several laws to combat human trafficking, including the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013 (the Act); the Children’s Act, 2005; the Sexual Offences Act, 1957; and the Civil Partnership Act, 2006. The Act provides a legal definition of human trafficking and outlines various penalties for perpetrators. The Act holds liable anyone who “traffics another person” for “the purposes of exploitation.” Exploitation is “the use of the body or sexuality of another person for financial gain.” The Act also holds anyone who “offers to procure another person to enable someone to traffic that other person” or who “facilitates trafficking by providing transport, accommodation or any other service to another person.”
Summary
Human trafficking involves the exploitation of another person for profit or personal gain. There are no reliable statistics on the extent of human trafficking in South Africa. However, research done by Professor Sarah Newberger from the University of Cape Town shows that traffickers target young girls and women for sex work and marriage. Many victims are also trafficked for their organs and blood. These victims are usually from the lower classes who may be manipulated by false promises of a job and a better life. South Africa’s history of social inequality, high unemployment rate, inadequate education system, poverty, and other factors combine to make it an ideal target for traffickers looking to exploit people. Keep reading to learn more about human trafficking in South Africa.
