Human Trafficking is a form of modern day slavery where people are illegally traded for exploitation or commercial gain.
1. Be vigilant of your surroundings. People are often distracted by their phones or other little things when walking. If you notice a person or a car following you, alert someone you trust immediately.
2. Avoid walking alone, especially in quiet areas.
3. Act swiftly, if you notice any suspicious activity by reporting to the nearest Police Station or entering the nearest public building and alerting someone in the building that you are being followed or call someone to pick you up if you can.
4. Don’t trust easily. Some people who were victims of trafficking were approached by strangers who offered them a job or some kind of opportunity (such as a modelling or singing career). Traffickers can approach you anywhere, on social media, at school, in the mall and even outside your house.
5. Discuss with your family, friends or a professional if you get a job, visa or a travel offer that is too good to be true.
6. Use social media wisely and limit posting personal information of yourself and family members.
7. Be wary of unfamiliar persons who suddenly offer you help, advice, money, a place to stay or a job opportunity just after you post something personal on your social media profile.
8. Always check your privacy settings; turn off your location settings on social media and only make your posts visible to your friends (not to the public).
9. Avoid confirming your location on social media, especially when you are at particular location example Restaurant, Beach, the Mall or alone at home.
10. Be ready for anything, carry a pepper spray on your key holder, in your pocket or pen that you can use as a weapon should it became necessary.
11. Set a location tracker on your phone. It is important that at least three of your closest friends or family members can track your phone via GPS so they know your whereabouts at all times.
12. If you feel uncomfortable at a place leave there immediately. Trust your instincts; listen to the intuitive voice inside your head.
13. Avoid meeting up with strangers or people you hardly know. If you need to meet a stranger, do not go alone and meet him or her in a public place. Do not let them know where you live until you get to know them better or become comfortable with them.
14. If you are having trouble at home, instead of running away from home and endangering your life. Seek for support from reliable organisation since traffickers tend to prey on young people who run away from home.
15. Never leave home or a place without informing a family member, trusted relative or friend of your where about, when you are expected to get back or arrive at your destination.
16. Before traveling to any region or country, be informed about the prevalence of human trafficking in that region or country.
Reference:
National Consumers League (2013). Safe foreign travels: learn about human trafficking. Retrieved on 22/06/2020 from https://www.nclnet.org/safe_foreign_travels_learn_about_human_trafficking_ryzas4qqlcq6mewxhy69ftzpska
Youth village sa’s youth portal (n.d.). Ten ways to protect yourself from human trafficking Retrieved on 19/06/2020 from https://www.youthvillage.co.za/2018/05/10-ways-to-protect-yourself-from-human-trafficking/
Source: Public Affairs Unit Desk