By Judith Dumbutshena, Sector Communicator, Sector of South Africa
Every year, millions of lives are shattered by the cruel reality of human trafficking. According to the UN, 38% of trafficking victims are children, and in Africa alone, trafficking has increased by 25% globally over recent years. This is not just a statistic; these are lives stolen, futures destroyed, and dignity erased.
South Africa is a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking. Victims include South Africans trafficked locally and abroad, as well as foreign nationals moved through its borders. Common forms include sex trafficking, forced labor (especially in domestic work, agriculture, construction, and informal sectors), and child trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation.
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission and Hebron Mission took vital steps to combat this growing epidemic. Our focus? Raising awareness, empowering communities, and advocating for justice for the most vulnerable among us, especially our children and youth.
The global OLC Good Shepherd mission stands unwavering in its commitment to fight against the global criminal industry of human trafficking. The exploitation of women and children is an affront to human rights and dignity. Through education, advocacy, and community support, we address the underlying injustices perpetuating this crisis—from gender discrimination to economic inequality. Because prevention begins with knowledge.
Building Awareness and Resilience at Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission
At Akhanani Good Shepherd Mission, where the threat of trafficking is increasingly tied to online platforms, social manipulation, and even children’s play areas, the team launched an interactive educational program to teach children how to recognize and respond to potential danger.
🔑 Key Topics Covered:
- The dangers of sharing personal information online
- How traffickers build trust and manipulate victims
- Strengthening privacy settings on apps and games
- Safe responses to stranger approaches—both online and offline
Facilitators emphasized the critical importance of vigilance, explaining that traffickers don’t always lurk in dark alleys but can be found on smartphones, gaming platforms, and even in familiar environments. One facilitator echoed, “Don’t talk to strangers! Traffickers can disguise themselves as recruiters or friendly peers.”
Role-playing exercises brought the lessons to life, empowering children to react to suspicious messages or approaches more confidently. The training underscored that education remains the first line of defense against exploitation.
A Call to Action from Hebron Mission
At Hebron Mission, during a community presentation, organizers observed an intentional silence to reflect how little the general public understands about human trafficking and its insidious forms.
A team member noted, “We often assume everyone understands what human trafficking entails, but the reality is different, especially in communities burdened by economic hardship, where vulnerability to exploitation increases.”
This has strengthened Hebron’s resolve. Efforts to educate the public, collaborate with local organizations, and advocate for victim protection are more crucial than ever.
A Unified Mission
Trafficking is an organized crime that thrives on silence and ignorance. But united – through action, advocacy, and prayer – we can stand against it.
All of our sisters supported the activities through prayers in solidarity with victims and survivors of human trafficking, those involved in anti-trafficking efforts, government leaders working on protective policies, and for the conversion of perpetrators. They also attended an online regional workshop themed “Listen, Protect, and Set Free: Pathways of Hope Against Human Trafficking.” Key messages included the importance of networking and knowledge sharing, and a growing concern about a new form of trafficking—youth being forced into criminal syndicates against their will.
The Good Shepherd sisters and their partners remain steadfast in advocating for policies that uphold human dignity, protect the vulnerable, and bring perpetrators to justice. Through trauma-informed care, community education, and global partnerships, we light pathways of hope for survivors.
Remember, prevention starts with you. Spot the signs. Break the chains. Prevention begins with knowledge—and together, we can protect our communities.
