Hannah Wendelken
WLH 2
Tompkins
3/12/15
HELP WANTED
Need a job? You’ll earn money to support yourself and your family! Just a short trip to Cape Town and we will have you set! Soon you arrive in a city in South Africa, realizing that the job is not what you think, but a cage you are stuck in. Only allowed out when you need to satisfy a man, with little possibility to escape now. This is a common way for teens to be lured into the sex trafficking business. They are duped into thinking they will be supporting their family, by leaving, and getting a job. But in reality, they are becoming trapped in human trafficking.
To be qualified "for human trafficking, a person has to be delivered, recruited, transported, transferred, harboured, sold, exchanged or leased within or across the borders of South Africa"(Wilkinson). Though sometimes, the struggling teens chose to participate by their own free will, for they are too deep in poverty and desperate to do anything to support their family and themselves.
South Africa has become known as the “best destination” for human trafficking(N/A). Sex trafficking has taken a drastic turn in South Africa, affecting numerous teens, leading to health effects because of the poverty distilled in the lives of many teens. Many sources state that in 2010, "there were 20,000 to 30,000 children prostituted, and the figure currently stands at 45,000"(Wilkinson). With South Africa being the central of human trafficking, this number seems to be increasing.
Not only are the young women raped, but they are also at risk of many health problems, such as AIDs. The AIDs epidemic is already widespread, and sex trafficking makes it even worse. "Women and girls trafficked for prostitution are among the most vulnerable groups exposed to HIV infection"(Delport). When succumbed to the sex trade, the teens are forced to sexual interactions, most of the time, with no sex protection. Because of this, they are exposed and possibly diagnosed with AIDs, a disease with no cure.
"Fortunately, there are more and more children and women being rescued from sex slavery and prostitution…"(NGOs). The President, Jacob Zuma, has just recently signed the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking Law(Delport). With this law now passed, it is hopeful that teens lured into and already a part of human trafficking will be helped. There are a few improvements in place, but the danger still exists. Hopefully, the next time a teen girl is asked if she needs a job, there will be justice for her and her safety.
Work Cited
Delport, Elize. "Http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001528/152823e.pdf." Human Trafficking in South Africa: Root Causes and Recommendations; Policy Paper Poverty Series; Vol.:14.5; 2007 (2007): n. pag. Human Trafficking in South Africa. UNESCO, 2007. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.N/A. "Delegates Shine Light on Sexual Crimes." Global Issues in Context. Cape News, 7 Oct. 2011. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
N/A. "NGOs Warn against Rising Human Trafficking in South Africa." Global Issues in Context. Xinhua News Agency, 4 June 2012. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Wilkinson, Kate. "Africa Check - Human Trafficking - Sensationalist and Unsubstantiated Reporting [analysis]." Global Issues in Context. Africa News Service, 18 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
My favorite part was your hook because it was very unique. I like how you made it a wanted ad. It's very shocking to me how common such an issue is because it's not as common in the United State. I wonder how the sex trafficking trade began and the percentage of women and girls who are able to leave it.
ReplyDeleteI find your article very informative and interesting. I think the most significant thing that I got from your article was the fact that this problem with sex trafficking puts people at risk for diseases like HIV, which is another important global issue, and given the fact that over 20,000-30,000 children are being sent into sex trafficking indicates this issue has profound effects on society.
ReplyDeleteHow many HIV cases have correlations with sex trafficking?
ReplyDeleteI think that your hook was very strong. It seemed very light hearted and casual, and struck me as powerful when it took a sharp turn to the subject of human trafficking amongst teens. It's very sad to me how easily young girls in south africa can be trapped in this industry due to the lack of jobs available in the country. Something I would find interesting is to see accounts of the teen sex traffickers who willingly accepted the job, and how they might have changed their minds once in the job or not?
ReplyDeleteReally good. Your title is really intriguing and your evidence was great. It brought up a really intense issue that needs to be addressed.
ReplyDelete