Human trafficking round-table calls for improved coordination in victim support
The human trafficking round-table hosted by the Department of Social Development on 20 February has called for improved coordination and integration of services between the various role players in providing victim support services.
The round-table was called by the department to advance the implementation of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act – signed into law in July 2013 – as well as find new ways to combat human trafficking.
The round-table stressed the importance of improving the coordination of victim support services throughout the support spectrum and referral system in order to ensure that justice is served for the victims and that they are allowed the opportunity to heal from their traumatic experiences.
Other recommendations coming out of the round-table include:
- The fast-tracking of integrated information management systems between role players;
- While the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act has been signed into law, its operationalisation is dependent on regulations and national directives and instructions that are required to be made by a number of role-playing departments. The round-table therefore called for a rapid finalisation of these issues in order for the Act to be fully implemented;
- Continuous research must be conducted to make more data available for better understanding of the human trafficking phenomenon. Research would also aide in capacity building for practitioners;
- Government must make sufficient resources available to fight human trafficking; and
- Programmes must emphasise prevention of human trafficking through public education initiatives.
Moving forward, the multi-sectoral National Task Team set up by Government – comprised of the departments of Justice & Constitutional Development, Home Affairs, Social Development, the National Prosecutions Authority, the South African Police Services, civil society representatives and the international organisations – will embark on an aggressive educational awareness campaign building up to the Child Protection Week, 27 May to 2 June.
The Task Team will also work with provincial governments to revive the provincial and district human trafficking response teams. Investment would also be made into the training of practitioners in the identification and screening of victims.
An Indaba on Human Trafficking will be held in October 2015 to check progress on these undertakings and the implementation of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act.
Media enquiries:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
