To Better Know a Country: Human Trafficking in South Africa

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-11-04 07:00:00 UTC
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Every year, the U.S. State Department releases a Trafficking in Persons report which rates countries on their efforts to combat human trafficking.  Each week, I'll be providing a brief glance at human trafficking in one of those countries, based off the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, with my own (often snarky) analysis added.  This is just a snapshot of what's going on in the country.  For more information, you can check out the full text of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report here.

This Week's Country..... South Africa

Basic Stats

  • Ranking: Tier 2

  • Status: Source, transit, and destination country for trafficking victims

  • Political Stability:It seems racial justice is actually good for a country. Who'da thought?

  • Cash Flow:They are to the rest of Africa what Donald Trump is to me: someone a lot richer who isn't going to give the money away.

  • Do I Think They Care?: Yes, but they're making a lot of bad policy calls.

Who Are the Victims and What Are They Doing?

  • Women:commercial sex, domestic servitude

  • Girls: commercial sex, domestic servitude, forced marriage, sex tourism

  • Med: forced labor in mobile factories

  • Boys:forced street vending, begging, crime, agriculture

Where Are They Coming From and Where Are They Going?

  • Victims are trafficked from South Africa to Europe, Middle East, U.S., .

  • Victims from Thailand, Congo, India, China, Russia, Ukraine, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe are trafficked to South Africa.

  • South African victims are trafficked internally, especially from rural to urban areas.

What's Gotta Happen

  • Pass and enact a prevention of human trafficking bill.

  • Address demand for commercial sex associate with the 2010 World Cup.

  • Protect children from sexual exploitation.

What Can I Do

In summary, South Africa has some very specific policy issues they are grappling with, especially whether or not to legalize prostitution prior to the 2010 World Cup as a tool for reducing human trafficking. Of course, I would strongly advise that a culture of tolerance for prostitution creates a haven for human traffickers and child sex tourists. South Africa also needs to focus on creating better laws to protect children, as the country draws child sex tourists from around the world. They have their hearts in the right place, but need a little push towards better policy. Luckily, I am currently accepting World Cup tickets in exchange for human trafficking policy advice. You know how you can get in touch with me, South Africa.

Photo credit: Randy OHC

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
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