Human Trafficking

The phenomenon of human trafficking, although an ongoing abusive tactic, is being exposed in great measure in our province.  

 Living Waters, which is a well established, well known and respected organization in  Buffalo City, Eastern Cape, has been rendering services to the vulnerable members of the community, abused women and children, and has been involved in assisting persons who have been the unfortunate victims of human trafficking.  This is a professional service, procedures are in place to deal with these victims and trained professionals are available to render this service.

The media is on a daily basis mentioning human trafficking as being a growing occurrence in this country and has recently highlighted the fact that the Eastern Cape has become a prime area for the exposure of human trafficking cases.  Of serious concern is the identification by the International Organisation of Migration, that victims are increasingly emerging in the build-up to 2010, where both single males and females, children and also families are being targeted.  In identifying these victims, three main factors are of essence – means, mobilization and exploitation. At Living Waters, counseling services are rendered and the victims are assisted to re-establish themselves.

The focus of Living Waters has since 1998 been to render comprehensive services, both developmental and holistic; including the identification of problem areas in the community not being attended to, while meeting the demands and the needs of the community in the best manner.  For this purpose, a one stop rape crisis center is being planned, to include victims of rape, abuse and while victims of human trafficking have already been accommodated, planning is underway to accommodate larger numbers of  identified victims of human trafficking as the need arises – this service is totally lacking in our city, and in this province.