IOM.org.za - Counter-Trafficking

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IOM's Counter-Trafficking Vision Statement

We fight against exploitation of migrants in all its forms, especially the severe human rights violations suffered by trafficked persons. Building on our individual commitment and global presence, we strengthen the capacities of our partners in government and civil society and set operational standards to achieve sustainable results that will:

provide protection and empower trafficked women, men, girls and boys;
raise awareness and understanding of the issue and;
bring justice to trafficked persons.

What is trafficking?

Human trafficking has evolved into one of the most tragic features of contemporary global migration, with as many as one million people estimated to have been trafficked across borders annually. The trade is now considered the third largest source of profits for transnational criminal organizations, with only drug trafficking and weapons smuggling being more lucrative. Click here for more information.

The Palermo Protocol or United Nations Protocol to “Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children”, defines human trafficking as follows:

"Trafficking in persons" shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

The Southern African Counter-Trafficking Assistance Programme (SACTAP)

The IOM’s Southern African Counter-Trafficking Assistance Programme (SACTAP) commenced in 2003, and is a key player in Southern Africa’s efforts to tackle and respond to human trafficking. Active across the Southern African region, SACTAP aims to support and develop the capacity of governments and civil society groups to deal with the problem of trafficking in Southern Africa while also offering assistance to victims and raising awareness among the general public.

SACTAP Activities
SACTAP is organized around four key components of counter-trafficking intervention:

Since its inception, SACTAP has:

produced regular information campaigns for the general public;
conducted qualitative research assessments of the human trafficking problem in Southern Africa;
published its quarterly bulletin Eye on Human Trafficking for electronic distribution;
built the capacity of law enforcement and other government officials, as well as civil society groups, through training and the provision of other technical support;
contributed to the human trafficking legislative process through consultation with policy drafters and/or Law Reform Commissions of South Africa, Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, and;
provided trafficked persons with safe accommodation, medical and psychosocial assistance, and a range of return and reintegration options.

SACTAP Highlights

Publication of: In Pursuit of the Southern Dream: Victims of Necessity, 2009; No Experience Necessary: The Internal Trafficking of Persons in South Africa, 2008; and Seduction, Sale and Slavery: Trafficking in Women and Children for Sexual Exploitation in Southern Africa, 2003
Establishment of a national toll free Human Trafficking Help Line in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Significant public awareness raised about the problem of human trafficking in Southern Africa
Trained over 3000 government officials and members of the civil society in the region
Comprehensive assistance provided to over 300 trafficked persons
MIDSA Workshop held on Human Trafficking and Legislative Responses in Southern Africa for high level officials from relevant ministries and concerned departments in the SADC region that are involved in legislative policy and development