SLAVERY is ALIVE and KICKING in SOUTH AFRICA TODAY
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A recent study estimates that there are about 250,000 modern-day slaves in South Africa.
The 2016 Global Slavery Index estimates that 43% of the country's slaves are in the sex industry, 11% in construction, 5% in farming and 8% in drug production.
Forced Marriages
The index, compiled by the Walk Free Foundation, also estimates that 10,600 women in South Africa are victims of forced marriage. The researchers blamed this on the persistence of traditional practices such as ukuthwala, in which young women, or girls, are abducted and forced into a marriage.
Katie Modrau - a development manager at A21, an NGO that fights human trafficking - said more statistics needed to be collected for a full picture of slavery in South Africa.
Her organisation has rescued trafficking victims in the fishing and sex industries.
Trafficking in the Fishing Industry
She said victims in the fishing industry often came from Cambodia and Indonesia. They were often recruited in their own countries with the promise of good money. But when they are on board the ship, they are told to sign contracts that are not in their home languages and are prevented from leaving.
"They are often not held with physical chains; the chains that hold them are fear," said Modrau, adding that many feared that their families would be victimised.
Slavery has Increased Globally
According to the index, slavery has increased globally.
Andrew Forrest, the chairman and founder of Walk Free Foundation, said: "While we see that the absolute figure of the number of people enslaved globally is greater than previously reported in 2014, this can be largely attributed to our improved research methodology.
"However, this does not preclude an increase in slavery in certain jurisdictions.
"On the other hand, we have seen increased actions from certain governments around the world in tackling slavery."
The foundation estimated that there were 45.8 million people enslaved in the world, 28% more than their previous estimate.
North Korea, the index found, had the highest prevalence of modern slavery, with 4.37% of its population enslaved.
India had 18.35 million enslaved people.
Legal Support
Modrau said the new Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act gave anti-human trafficking initiatives some much-needed legal support in the country.
But the problem was funding and seeing the act being implemented on the ground.
Said Forrest: "Governments need to look more closely at illicit labour recruitment, crack down on the illegal companies that provide conduits in which people end up in slavery, and penalise the companies and individuals that are using bonded labour, either directly or in their supply chains.
"At the same time, it is important that we tackle the conditions that drive labour migration by creating opportunities within South Africa."
By Shaun Smillie, www.timeslive.co.za, 1 June 2016.
National Counter-Trafficking Helpline
The National Counter-Trafficking Helpline: 0800-222-777, launched in August 2016 by the National Freedom Network has helped rescue victims. The success of the Resource Line for the period August 2016 to May 2017, is reflected in the receipt of 3,665 incoming calls from all 9 provinces, yielding 120 tip-offs and 29 rescues.
Your Tip-Off Could Lead to Rescue!
If you believe you have identified someone still in the trafficking situation, alert law enforcement immediately through the anti-trafficking organisation numbers provided. It may be unsafe to attempt to rescue a trafficking victim. You have no way of knowing how the trafficker may react and retaliate against the victim or you. If, however, you identify a victim who has escaped the trafficking situation, there are a number of organizations to whom the victim could be referred for help with shelter, medical care, legal assistance, and other critical services. In this case, call the National Human Trafficking helpline: 0800-222-777, S-Cape: 021-788-8207, or Stop Trafficking: 081-720-7181.
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves." Proverbs 31:8
Resources Available
Contact Christian Action for quantities of leaflets such as: To download Stop the Traffick leaflet in tract form, in colour, click here, for black and white, click here; Fight the New Drug, Beveg Die Nuwe Dwelm; The Christian Liberation of Women; Abortion – the Facts; Aborsie – Die Feite; Women Need Protection and Respect and Vroue Verdien Beskerming en Respek. You can also view, or download to print and share these tracts from our www.ChristianAction.org.za website.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
Educate Your School or Church: Presentations Available
We are available to speak at schools and churches on Traffick Proof (anti-trafficking prevention); How the Media is Sexualising Your Children; Protect Your Family From Porn; or Fight the New Drug.
Make a Difference This Women’s Day!
Women and girls need real protection and respect, practical action, not pious platitudes from politicians and meaningless public holidays! Why not use National Women’s Day this year it is Monday, 10 August 2020, as an opportunity to inform, inspire and involve people in promoting awareness and taking action against the exploitation of women in pornography, prostitution, trafficking and abortion?
We need volunteers, so please sign up to help out at one of our tables. Sign up for a three-hour shift, or for as much time as you are willing and able to give. The morning shift starts at 9:00 am and the afternoon shift starts at 12:00 noon. We will slot you in at a time that is convenient for you. We will offer free literature to all interested people. This is a great opportunity for one-on-one Evangelism, discussions and counselling.
Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont 7735
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4480
info@christianaction.org.za
www.christianaction.org.za
www.livingstonefellowship.co.za
See also:
Digital Cocaine DVD, or the book (available from www.ChristianLibertyBooks.co.za)
Trade of Innocents DVD (available from www.ChristianLibertyBooks.co.za)
Exposing and Opposing Slavery Today video
Women’s Day Awareness Campaigns Against Human Trafficking
Slavery Today – Setting the Captives Free
