Written by: Dr Pearl Kupe
Article Source: Supplied

30 July is United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking In Persons, established to raise awareness of the plight of human trafficking victims, and promote and protect their rights.

Trafficking has become one of the greatest challenges of the past two decades and one area in which many are being held captive.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” – Luke 4:18-19

Here are some Global Trafficking Fast Facts gleaned from the UNODC 2014 & ILO & UNICEF reports:

  • There are approximately 21 million people that are trafficked every year
  • Around 25% are trafficked for sexual exploitation
  • 4 million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys.
  • Trafficking annually occurs in approximately 124 nations around the world and involves 152 different nationalities
  • Victims of trafficking usually come from East and South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa
  • There are three main types of trafficking:
    • For Sexual exploitation (forced prostitution)
    • For forced labour (especially in cleaning, domestic work and manufacturing sectors)
    • For induction into crime, begging and armed combat
  • Most trafficking victims are girls between 5 to 15 years of age. (UNICEF)
  • 2 Million children are trafficked each year(UNICEF).
  • Half of those children are African. (World Hope International, 2008)
  • It is a business that makes U.S. $7 to 10 Billion). (United Nations)
  • Forced labour in the economy generates US$ 150 billion per year.

Trafficking in General
Victims of trafficking are often tortured and beaten into submission as well as stripped of their identity and whatever possessions they may have. They are emotionally and physically abused and many are sexually violated.

Many are held in the most degrading places, and humiliated and placed in cells and drugged heavily. Many also become dependent on drugs. They are monitored very closely to ensure that they do not escape.

Many of those trafficked are taken at a very young age, when they are most vulnerable and least likely to resist capture.

Some of the victims are hijacked or abducted, whilst others are lured thorough offers of false employment and others are persuaded to enter into non-existent romantic relationships. Facebook, WhatsApp and Viber social media applications are widely used by perpetrators who place fake profile pictures and profiles up to lure young women into “overseas” relationships. They are persuaded to come over to get married and are immediately abducted on entry into the foreign nation.

Many of the victims are often recruited from rural areas or informal settlements and transported to different cities and nations.

Both teenage boys and girls are being increasingly targeted and lured into sexual exploitation and used for pornographic purposes. (IOM, 2008)

Who are the traffickers?
Most trafficking rings are driven by criminal elements, many of whom are also associated with drug rings. The list of traffickers is wide and includes brothel and strip club owners, pimps, taxi drivers and even some family members!

What can I do to stop or prevent human trafficking?

  • Help educate your community
  • Help to distribute tracts with information on trafficking
  • Organize trafficking sensitization groups at your schools, churches and a GFWE Representative will come and give a sensitization talk and presentation on trafficking
  • Log onto the GFWE (Global Forum of Women Entrepreneurs) Facebook page and onto our website(co.za) for more information on trafficking. Contact person Ms. Portia Phumulo on email pulumop@gmail.com
  • Report any suspicious activity and brothels to the police
  • Watch and pray over your families and your children.

South Africa & Trafficking
South Africa has become one of the nations with rising trafficking statistics. Criminals and evil persons are on the lookout for vulnerable and defenseless children to traffic as sex and labour slaves. Others are in the evil muti business that uses human body parts.

Let us teach our children how to pray and be alert without instilling fear in them.

#SetTheCaptivesFree

Join us on our Facebook page #WeShallNotBeSilent and me on my Personal Facebook page www.facebook.com/DrPearlKupe

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Dr. Pearl Kupe is an attorney and international consultant to world leaders and international organisations. She is the international president of the Global Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (www.gfwe.co.za). Email pearl.kupe@gmail.com

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Date published: 30/07/2020

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