Amid fears of increased human trafficking during the FIFA World Cup matches in South Africa, an Indian Salesian nun is working hard to save the poor from the exploitation.
Sister Bernadette Sangma is a part of the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking or Talitha-Kum, which has launched a campaign to get the word out about the dangers of human trafficking.
The general fear is that the international sporting event can lead to an increase in human trafficking for sexual exploitation in a place that’s already considered a hub for that type of criminal activity.
“There’s a lot of demand, demand for different types of services, work in restaurants, hotels but also sexual services that will be very much veiled,” Sister Bernadette said.
“We are very much aware of the borders in South Africa, they are very very porous, people can come in and out very easily without control so that can facilitate trafficking bring young people very easily into South Africa during the World Cup,” she warned.
“That’s why, from now until the end of the 2010 World Cup, it’s important to reach out to as many potential victims as we can,” Sister Bernadette said.
The organization is taking the message directly to the most vulnerable by reaching out to them in schools, youth centers, parishes and through newspaper and radio ads. Warnings are being sent across the continent and as far away as Thailand and Brazil.
The International Organization for Migration says though it is difficult to measure how serious the threat is, anecdotal evidence suggest smugglers are stepping up their efforts.
“During the building of the stadium, for instance, our colleagues registered some cases of trafficking. They found people who were being exploited and that behind exploitation there was also case of trafficking,” Stefano Volpicelli of International Organization for Migration said.
The FIFA World Cup will start from June 11 and go on till July 11.
Sister Bernadette Sangma is a part of the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking or Talitha-Kum, which has launched a campaign to get the word out about the dangers of human trafficking.
The general fear is that the international sporting event can lead to an increase in human trafficking for sexual exploitation in a place that’s already considered a hub for that type of criminal activity.
“There’s a lot of demand, demand for different types of services, work in restaurants, hotels but also sexual services that will be very much veiled,” Sister Bernadette said.
“We are very much aware of the borders in South Africa, they are very very porous, people can come in and out very easily without control so that can facilitate trafficking bring young people very easily into South Africa during the World Cup,” she warned.
“That’s why, from now until the end of the 2010 World Cup, it’s important to reach out to as many potential victims as we can,” Sister Bernadette said.
The organization is taking the message directly to the most vulnerable by reaching out to them in schools, youth centers, parishes and through newspaper and radio ads. Warnings are being sent across the continent and as far away as Thailand and Brazil.
The International Organization for Migration says though it is difficult to measure how serious the threat is, anecdotal evidence suggest smugglers are stepping up their efforts.
“During the building of the stadium, for instance, our colleagues registered some cases of trafficking. They found people who were being exploited and that behind exploitation there was also case of trafficking,” Stefano Volpicelli of International Organization for Migration said.
The FIFA World Cup will start from June 11 and go on till July 11.
No comments:
Post a Comment