AWARENESS & PREVENTION

Trafficking thrives in secrecy: the less people know about it and the fewer who believe that it’s happening, the easier it is for traffickers to carry out their activities. That’s why we place a heavy emphasis on building awareness; because prevention is better than cure.

We educate the public on the inner-workings of this industry, both to arm people with the knowledge that can protect them from this fate, and to dismantle the systems that drive trafficking.

Key amongst the systems of trafficking are pornography and prostitution. We are invested in exposing the ways in which these increasingly accepted industries support sex trafficking and exploitation. To this end, we have launched Fierce Hearts, a department that promotes awareness about the effects of pornography on the viewer and their relationships, as well as its role in feeding the sex trafficking industry. Through Fierce Hearts we seek to offer hope and freedom to porn viewers and victims alike by advocating for real love as the foundation of intimacy.

There is also a need for awareness on the platforms, hot-spots and methods through which people are trafficked. By learning to keep safe, identify potential cases and build common awareness of trafficking, many cases can be stopped in their tracks. Through events, training, speaking engagements, and documentary screenings, public awareness and support for the anti-trafficking movement is being harnessed.

RESCUE & INTERVENTION

The process to rescue trafficking victims requires the cooperation of many different players who piece together clues, follow up on leads, match missing person reports with suspicious activity and tracking moving targets in a secretive underground world.

In order to identify and respond rapidly to emerging cases, we have a team of specialists who we work with, including investigators, forensic specialists, social workers, police officers, law enforcement and partner organisations, whom together form part of a rapid response unit, and conduct ongoing investigations into possible trafficking cases.

RESTORATION AND REINTEGRATION

Once out of danger and in Safe Houses, the survivors are taken through an extended programme to bring healing and hope, while equipping them on a practical level for reintegration and life after the Safe House.

A team of trained and experienced counsellors, social workers and professionals work with the survivors through this journey. They are provided with trauma counselling and therapy, and guided towards rediscovery of their value, autonomy and purpose. They take part in a range of activities intended to be enjoyable, therapeutic and instructive, such as Zumba dancing and arts and crafts. Support is given to remain free of drug and alcohol addictions; a tactic which is commonly used by traffickers to create dependence in their victims.

In addition to these health and restoration activities, a range of practical skills are taught to empower survivors to live full and independent lives after they leave the safe house. They are taught business skills, life skills, and are prepared for the job market and complete integration back into society.

Once the team who have supported them through the process believe that they are ready to reintegrate into society, we help them to get set up practically with a place to stay, as well as a job, and internship or support in setting up their own small business. Those from outside South Africa we assist to return to their country of origin, and reunite with their families. There are often survivors who want to become activists themselves, sharing their story and seeking to prevent others from falling prey to trafficking, or offering support to those who have already been affected.