Sex Trafficking

Scenario 1 – Sex trafficking with loverboy method
 

Story – 

This is the story of a young woman, the world is her oyster and her life should be carefree, but she doesn’t have a job and she can’t seem to find one. She meets a great guy one night in a club and they click instantly. A whirlwind week follows of what seems like a “meant to be” romance. He even knows someone who has a job for her. She gets on a bus to Cape Town without hesitation. She meets his friend at the bus station as planned. But when she arrives at his house she realises quickly that is not going to be what she expected. The house is full of women, and some girls, there is open alcohol and lines everywhere. A girl looks at her with a numb expression. She tries to turn around and leave but he pulls a knife on her. He tells her “shut up, take a shower, and put these clothes on”. The clothes suggest that the “job” she will be doing is too shameful to say out loud. Fast forward a few weeks. It’s the hour of night that girls like her should not be out alone. But she lights up a cigarette on the street corner waiting for her next “client”. A few hours later the “client” throws the cash he owes her on the bed and she walks out. She walks down the street to that guy, her pimp. She gets into the car as a couple cross the street next to her. They lock eyes for a moment. She beckons them to see her cry for help. They stop, they look again...Can they see her?

Indicators Depicted In This Scenario – 

• May be involved in commercial sex.
• Appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Displays signs of physical or sexual violence / visible scars or bruises they are unable or unwilling to explain.
• Tattoos, brands, or other marks indicating “ownership” by the perpetrator.
• Significant change in demeanor, once outgoing and now appears unhappy, disconnected and/or does not smile often.
• Presence of an overly controlling or abusive “boyfriend,” or an older female.
• The “boyfriend” or older female exerts control in a subtle manner, with a look of the eyes or touch of the hand.
• May have been disciplined through punishment.
• Facial expression and body language display fear and anxiety.

Child Labour Trafficking

Scenario 2 – Textile industry labour trafficking
 

Story – 

Victor, a 12 year old boy is playing soccer with his friends. It’s what they do most afternoons until it gets too dark to see the ball. It was a normal day by any other measure, until a white bakkie pulls up alongside the game. “Do you want to go to trials?”, the figure in the driver’s seat asks. Of course, that’s the dream. So Victor and his friends jump in, excited, heading towards a future as the newest signed players of that soccer club they all love in South Africa. A few weeks later Victor’s friend wakes him, asking for water. He scoops it out of the dirty bucket next to him and hands it to his friend. How did they even end up here? They are in a room packed full of people, not allowed to leave, barely given any food. During the day he works in a warehouse with no air. They make clothes. All day. It’s never ending. The boss brings in a man. He is dressed well, he must be a buyer. He seems to notice that something is not right here. Please look up, please look up. Victor catches his eye, pleading for help. The man walks by as Victor wonders, did he see me?

Indicators Depicted In This Scenario – 

• Victim is a minor.
• Evidence of physical or sexual abuse / visible scars or bruises.
• Has few personal possessions/clothes.
• Working excessively long hours.
• Is unpaid or underpaid.
• Unable to leave their work environment.
• Come from a place known to be a source of trafficking.
• Travel in groups with persons who are not relatives.
• Live in poor or substandard accommodations.
• Live in degraded, unsuitable places, such as in agricultural or industrial buildings.
• Have no labor contracts.
• Have no choice of accommodation.
• Depend on their employer for a number of services, including work, transportation, and accommodation.
• Evidence that labor laws being breached.
• Subject to security measures designed to keep them on work premises.
• Unable to move freely.
• Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of the work.
• Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work.
• Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid.

Forced Labour Trafficking

Scenario 3 – Textile industry labour trafficking
  

Story – 

Frisco feels like he has been waiting all day. The wait is endless, will they get work or will this be another wasted day sitting outside this factory? The hours tick by and it is starting to feel hopeless until that white bakkie pulled up. This was it, maybe this man had work for a few weeks, he is talking about a factory South Africa, done. Easy as that. Frisco and his friends jump on the bakkie and drive towards what they believe is a much needed breakthrough.
The bakkie crosses the border and there was definitely and exchange of money, Frisco tries to shake off the anxious feeling that is creeping in. But when they arrive at the factory in South Africa and a Chinese man starts shouting at them in what must his language, he realises this in fact is not the dream, but a nightmare.
It has been 3 months, Frisco sits alongside a young boy He can’t be older than 12. The room is full of people just like them, sweating, as they rush to make the garments. The boss brings in a buyer. He is well dressed and seems to notice that something is not right here. Please look up, please look up. He catches Frisco’s eye…but did he see him?

Indicators Depicted In This Scenario – 

• Evidence of physical or sexual abuse / visible scars or bruises.
• Has few personal possessions/clothes.
• Working excessively long hours.
• Is unpaid or underpaid.
• Unable to leave their work environment.
• Come from a place known to be a source of trafficking.
• Travel in groups with persons who are not relatives.
• Live in poor or substandard accommodations.
• Live in degraded, unsuitable places, such as in agricultural or industrial buildings.
• Have no labor contracts.
• Have no choice of accommodation.
• Depend on their employer for a number of services, including work, transportation, and accommodation.
• Evidence that labor laws being breached.
• Subject to security measures designed to keep them on work premises.
• Unable to move freely.
• Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of the work.
• Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work.
• Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid.

Domestic Servitude

Scenario 4 – Forced labour trafficking in private residence
 

Story – 

A young girl hangs washing, visibly upset and covered in bruises. Her neighbour, Agreement, pauses on her way up to her door. Agreement often hears the shouts and screams coming from the apartment this girl lives in. She wonders if this girl is enduring the same horror that she did years before.
Agreement had a happy childhood with her mom in Eastern Cape. One day her uncle who lived in the city called, promising to look after Agreement and help her to get an education. A dream come true for Agreement, she reluctantly left her mom for the big city. Things quickly turned when her uncle and aunt made it clear that education was never the plan. She was beaten and broken down, made to do all the house work and sexually abused by her uncle. Life was a nightmare for those years, she couldn’t leave the house and every time her mom called, her aunt would make sure she didn’t tell her the truth. Seeing this young girl hanging washing outside brought the memory of those years flooding back. Could this be what was happening to this girl right now?

Indicators Depicted In This Scenario – 

• Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes.
• Is not paid.
• Works excessively long hours.
• Live with a family.
• Never or rarely leave the house for social reasons.
• Recruited through false job or study opportunity.
• Shows signs of fear.
• Appears submissive.
• Has few personal possessions.
• Does not have access to money.
• Show signs their movements are being controlled.
• Disciplined through punishment.
• Is subjected to insults, abuse, threats, or violence.
• Sleep in an inappropriate space.
• Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work.
• Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport).

Online Child Sexual Exploitation

Scenario 7 – SEEN
 

Meet Lily –

She's fourteen, easy to overlook. Just a tree in the school play, not the lead. When she posts a video about her small moment onstage it barely gets a glance. Almost no one notices. Except one account — a cute boy who comments like he really sees her, who pays attention when no one else did. It feels like proof she matters. She starts reshaping herself to keep his attention — braver, older — the lines moving a little at a time, not by force but by reassurance that feels like care.

Online Child Sexual Exploitation –

Online child sexual exploitation consists of many forms of exploitation against children online, including persuading a minor (someone under the age of 18) to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM). CSAM is sexually explicit content involving a child including photos, videos, or digitally created images that depict the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor. Often offenders will manipulate the child to engage in such conduct by first building an emotional connection and relationship to gain trust, with the ultimate goal of sexual exploitation.

Potential Warning Signs that a Child is Being Exploited Online –

• Experiencing a breakdown in relationships—isolating from peers or family, or withdrawing from usual social circles.
• Changes in physical appearance, such as sudden weight loss or alterations in makeup or clothing choices.
• Showing up with gifts or possessions that can't be explained.
• Becoming upset, withdrawn, or anxious after using the internet or texting.
• Shifting temperament - becoming moody, aggressive, or withdrawn.
• Accumulating numerous new phone numbers, or email addresses.
• They exhibit secretive behaviour, especially when asked about their activities.
• Receiving excessive texts or calls.
• Excessive time on mobile phones, gaming consoles, or other electronic devices.
• Leaving home without explanation or frequently returning home late.
• Struggling with sleep or eating habits, showing signs of anxiety.
• Skipping school or becoming disruptive in class.

*While no single indicator confirms the existence of online child sexual exploitation, several indicators combined can increase the likelihood that a child is being exploited.