Ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July, Netcare has launched a programme in 38 emergency departments to identify, support and protect women who have been trafficked and are living in fear of speaking out or escaping their traffickers.
“Many people don’t realise that human trafficking is taking place right here in South Africa, but it is. Women and girls, primarily from Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, are lured mostly to Gauteng with false promises of love, employment or a better future,” says Dr Leanne van Rooy, trauma programme manager at Netcare Milpark Hospital.
The United Nations defines human trafficking as modern day slavery that exploits people for profit. The elements of human trafficking are, firstly, the act of recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receiving of people. The second element is using force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or abusing a person’s position of vulnerability for the third element of human trafficking, that is, the purpose of exploitation.
“Traffickers often target teenagers through TikTok and other social media platforms, grooming them over time by sending money or gifts and exploiting their trust, innocence and vulnerabilities. In many cases, they manipulate young women into believing they are in a genuine romantic relationship before persuading them to leave home. Others are abducted,” she explains.
“By the time the woman arrives, she is already ensnared in a trap of intimidation that leads to exploitation. She appears to have no way out of the abusive situation, which is often driven by organised crime.”
The emergency departments at 38 Netcare hospitals are now equipped with a person centred, trauma-informed care pathway to safely interrupt the cycle of human trafficking for women who are often too traumatised to ask for help directly, with plans to extend this to other Netcare facilities.
The driving force behind the evidence-based care pathway is Dr Van Rooy, whose doctoral studies in Nursing Science focused on recognising and responding to human trafficking within the emergency department.
“Human trafficking affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Alarmingly, research suggests that more than 80% of women who survived and escaped from sex trafficking visited an emergency department while they were being exploited,” Dr Van Rooy explains.
Dr Van Rooy identified an opportunity for healthcare professionals working in emergency departments at Netcare hospitals to integrate support for victims into their established trauma care system. Drawing on first-hand accounts from survivors of sex trafficking, she co-designed a care pathway.
The care pathway has recently been introduced to healthcare professionals working in the emergency departments. It is intended to help recognise and respond to potential victims, provide a safe environment for disclosure, and connect them with immediate specialist support.
“The nurses and doctors working in the emergency department are sensitised to the red flags that a person may present with. Care pathways are in place to create a safer environment, and build trusting relationships, so that we can better identify and support victims of human trafficking,” Dr Van Rooy explains.
“In these circumstances, women are often terrified into submission by their traffickers. Every action is closely monitored, and even the smallest attempt to seek help can have devastating consequences. This care pathway provides guidance for healthcare professionals to recognise and respond to victims of trafficking in the emergency department. It also gives victims a safe, discreet way to signal they are in danger without having to ask for help directly, connecting them to immediate support through the Human Trafficking Hotline, supported by the National Freedom Network with A21, a leading global anti-trafficking NGO.”
The National Freedom Network (NFN) is a network of stakeholders across South Africa who are working to combat human trafficking. Launched in May 2011, the NFN currently serves as South Africa’s network for connecting various counter-trafficking organisations, as well as other role players across the movement through strategic networking.
Red flags that someone may need help:
- Someone else speaks for them or closely controls them
- Appears fearful or avoids eye contact
- Very quiet or unusually distressed
- Doesn’t have control over their own identity documents or money
If you suspect that someone may be a victim of human trafficking, you can help by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline immediately on 0800 222 777.
“Continuous training and awareness initiatives are essential to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to respond effectively, ensuring the safety of victims and providing trauma-informed care. Moreover, strengthening multisectoral collaboration among healthcare professionals, social services, NGOs, and law enforcement is essential for coordinated, resource-efficient responses and more integrated support,” Dr Van Rooy concludes.
Ends.
Notes to editors
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