So, we know, this crisis situation affects economies negatively because our society is dysfunctional which means us as human beings are dysfunctional too and thus cannot perform optimally in jobs, our businesses and our children at school.
There are a multitude of organisations fighting GBV&F, Human Trafficking and basically crime in general yet we still see the situation worsening. What are we not doing or What are we missing? Is it Governments responsibility entirely to eradicate these evils? Will the most perfect laws implemented change people’s negative mindsets and behaviour which fuel these atrocities? The worsening crime statistics could also mean though that people are breaking the silence by reporting and opening up cases against perpetrators which is good on the other hand and thus the rot is coming to the fore. However, this has to start decreasing not because of lack of reporting but because GBV&F, Human Trafficking and all other forms of crime have truly decreased and has to happen as a matter of extreme urgency.
What are the solutions? Should we as individuals not be doing introspection on our contribution towards this worsening situation and take responsibility and be accountable for our contribution as supposed to blame shifting and pointing the finger elsewhere for solutions? Scary thought right but it is fact…
In the meanwhile, whilst we are all doing introspection, finding solutions and trying to implement them we need to protect ourselves against perpetrators of violence, be it GBV& F, Human Trafficking or any other kind of violence and to do so without us ending up on the wrong side of the law as best as we can.
So, there are a few options like equipping yourself with self-defense skills, obtaining gas guns, pepper spray etc. We will not encourage obtaining a licensed gun which shoots real bullets as we support the Guns Down drive. You can however purchase a security emergency panic device which will provide you with armed security should you need it and we encourage you to invest in yourself and your family’s protection by obtaining a security panic device. ACT Africa in partnership with the Automobile Association promotes the highly rated and recommended Rem-i Amica Device and Emergency Security App – see links below
Please do what you can to keep yourself and your family safe in these very dangerous times we are living in and do whatever you can to prevent and stop GBV&F, Human Trafficking, Kidnapping and all forms of violence from escalating, keeping us hostage and stopping all of us especially our children from leading normal, functional positive and prosperous lives.
“EVIL PREVAILS WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING”
Should you wish to donate to help us fight and break the cycles of these vicious atrocities of Human Trafficking and Gender based Violence especially during these perilous times and far into the future, You will be assisting and enabling us to fulfill our mission to Save Lives Through Awareness and Education.
Reach out and Read offers reading programs for kids in schools categorized as lower quantile schools in Western Cape, South Africa.
In our program, we focus on kids in the foundation phase, grades 1-3, and age group 7–9 years old.
According to our initial evaluation, 45-55% of kids in classrooms have a reading disability, which means 180 kids need our help per school.
There is a high rate of children struggling to read due to GBV&F, Human Trafficking and Gangsterism – the trauma that children suffer as a result of abuse including sexual molestation, physical assaults, violence, gangsterism, substance abuse and the use of children as human shields.
By providing kids with a safe place where guidance and recognition are given, we assist in preventing and breaking the cycles of GBV&F,Human Trafficking and Gangsterism.
The ability to step inside another’s mind, to feel what they feel and understand their thoughts, seems an insurmountable concept. Adults have a hard time explaining how it works, so imagine how much harder it is for children. In fact, children are not born with the ability to feel empathy. They learn this skill through social interaction with family, their peers, and society in general. Luckily, books can help with that. Research shows that reading fiction puts us in the mind of another person, allows us to experience every challenge, feel every emotion, and triumph over adversities right alongside our favorite characters. This direct immersion in another person’s mind stimulates systems in the brain,and develops the ability to empathize with other human beings.
Reading books enhances social problem-solving
In addition to learning empathy, books provide an endless supply of social interaction examples from which to learn. Scenes full of character dialogue show children effective – and ineffective – ways to handle conflict in a variety of situations. It allows children to experience a range of moods and emotions they aren’t likely to experience in everyday life. Experiencing these emotions in a “safe” environment allows the child to think about how they might react in a similar situation, preparing them for future interactions. This makes their emotional development more well-rounded and mature.
Co-Author: Dirk Greef-Cronje – Director at Reach Out and Read Co-Author: Hilary Leong – Chairperson at Awareness for Child Trafficking Africa (ACT Africa)
ACT Africa’s focus is Prevention of and Breaking the Cycles of GBV&F and Human Trafficking but that does not exclude all other forms of violence. All of these types of violence are increasing at an alarming rate globally and we need to protect ourselves as best as we can and do what we can to prevent becoming victims of these heinous vicious acts of violence.
How Do We Prevent and Protect
So, there are numerous forms of protection like self-defense, pepper sprays, fire-arms (if used responsibly and for the right reason) etc. BUT will not bring you the emergency help should any of the known forms of protection fail you.
Recognising this fact, ACT Africa sought after a security system which would assist with being preventative especially in abusive situations and emergency help is needed.
We discovered the Automobile Association’s (AA) emergency personal security panic button – Rem-i – which provides immediate armed security response to any location in South Africa. The handheld device (which doesn’t require a cellphone to operate) alerts more than 220 armed security providers of your location at the push of a button. The nearest security provider to your location is then immediately dispatched to provide assistance. Another feature of the Rem-i is that it has live tracking functionality so its location can be determined at any time, whether a panic has been activated or not. This is ideal for parents, for instance, who want to know the exact location of their children who are on a trip. Its geo-fencing capability also means a boundary can be set for the device and if that boundary is breached, a message is sent to one of the registered users. The fall over detection ability in the device also sends a panic signal if the wearer falls, or if the device is dropped. The Rem-i is a powerful device aimed at providing maximum peace-of-mind to the user and to those listed as emergency contacts such as parents.
Let’s face it in a life-or-death crisis especially involving violence of any type, there is no time to search for an emergency app on your phone to obtain help and often the last thing on your mind. Immediate help is needed whether you are able to press a panic button or not and your location detected.
So where do you get the Rem-i Amica Device and Emergency Security App from?
Go to ACT Africa’s News section for more information and to purchase the Rem- i Amica Emergency Panic Device for a once off R1999.00 and your monthly Emergency Security App subscription for R35.00
Should you wish to donate to help us fight and break the cycles of these vicious atrocities of Human Trafficking and Gender based Violence especially during these perilous times and far into the future, You will be assisting and enabling us to fulfill our mission to Save Lives Through Awareness and Education.
ACT Africa is extremely saddened and perturbed by the Gun Violence plaguing Eldorado Park. Within 7 days this past week 22 to 27 August 2022, 10people have been shot and 3 have succumbed to the gun violence and some are still fighting for their lives in hospital.
A community trying their level best to rise from socio-economic problems – Poverty, Substance abuse, Gender-Based Violence & Femocide, Human Trafficking and all other forms of crime, are now being held hostage (through not having freedom of movement) by reckless Gun Wielding individuals who for whatever reason have found themselves in the clutches of perpetuating crime, shooting randomly into crowds of children and adults and robbing innocent children and adults of their lives and plunging families into states of hopelessness and deep despair…..
IS THE GUN VIOLENCE RANDOM???
Question– Why would a person/s perpetuate gun violence and shoot randomly ???
Answer– Something has gone wrong emotionally, mentally, physically, socio-economically and thus a life of crime is chosen by the individual, So No the Gun Violence is Not Random..
Question – What could have gone wrong??
Answer- Failed Parenthood – Parents have become lax in our parenting by becoming negligent AND abdicating our responsibilities our God Given roles of parenting as Father or Mother and thus the family structure has broken down leading to extreme Dysfunction. Peer Pressure -The need to belong, feel important . Impoverished environment and the skewed notion that crime will alleviate the impoverished situation. Drugs/Substance Abuse is a huge problem and thus Drug related violence is synonymous with this. Crime Kingpins exploit the vulnerabilities of this impoverished community in order to benefit financially in one form or the other and using it’s people as pawns to perpetuate these horrendous crimes.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION
All forms of crimes committed is a violation of human rights as there is always a victim who has been robbed of their human rights no matter the crime.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
Everyone has the right to a nationality.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
There is no quick fix solution but firstly taking RESPONSIBILIY AND BEING ACCOUNTABLE for importantly yourself and the choices you make which has a ripple effect on your family ie spouse, your children, your parents, broader family your neighborhood and ultimately your community which leads to your country as a whole… starting within our personal spaces like our homes is key, which means, importantly yourself. Then seek the help from various organisations which offer assistance for issues of Mental, Emotional, Substance Abuse, Family problems; Gender-Based Violence, Human Trafficking, Poverty
Should you wish to donate to help us fight and break the cycles of these vicious atrocities of Human Trafficking and Gender based Violence especially during these perilous times and far into the future, You will be assisting and enabling us to fulfill our mission to Save Lives Through Awareness and Education.
Refer to our blog posted in 2021 which explains the different levels of Tier Levels which countries have been categorized into- click on the link below
Should you wish to donate to help us fight and break the cycles of these vicious atrocities of Human Trafficking and Gender based Violence especially during these perilous times and far into the future, You will be assisting and enabling us to fulfill our mission to Save Lives Through Awareness and Education.
Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons
The Means (How it is done)
Threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim
The Purpose (Why it is done)
For the purpose of exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices and the removal of organs.
To ascertain whether a particular circumstance constitutes trafficking in persons, consider the definition of trafficking in the Trafficking in Persons Protocol and the constituent elements of the offense, as defined by relevant domestic legislation.
How Do Human Traffickers Lure Victims
Common methods used to traffick humans include forms of deception like:
Seduction and romance,
False job advertisements,
Lies about educational or travel opportunities,
Abduction,
Sale by family, and.
Recruitment through former slaves.
Traffickers employ a variety of control tactics, the most common include physical and emotional abuse and threats, isolation from friends and family, and economic abuse. They make promises aimed at addressing the needs of their target in order to impose control.
How to Spot a Trafficker
Traffickers will tell you that parents, teachers and others adults don’t understand or appreciate you.
They will make you feel wanted and secure. They prey on young people’s hopes or dreams to improve
their lives.
*If you’re with friends, traffickers know how to get you to leave your friends.
*Women and children your age can be recruiters for traffickers. It’s not just suspicious older men.
*You cannot tell a trafficker by his/her looks, age, socioeconomic level, daytime job or clothes.
*If an older guy tells you that you are mature for your age, he probably wants something you’re not old
enough for. Traffickers will trick you into believing they are your “boyfriend” and shower you with gifts.
*The people you care about the most will be the first to help you when you get in trouble so the trafficker
will try to get you to turn against them.
*If you appear desperate or needy, a trafficker will figure out what you need and offer it to you.
Where you might find a trafficker:
Online (Facebook, Instagram…), the mall, your school, movie theaters, water/amusement parks, church, any place there
are lots of young people
How to Protect Yourself from Human Trafficking
10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Human Trafficking. Everyday there are chilling reports of abducted women and children in South Africa. This form of modern day slavery involves people abducting, luring or pressuring victims for the purpose of using them for forced labour or forced sexual acts for money. Young women are the most likely to be trafficked and forced to become sex slaves, prostitutes, workers or even street beggars. The following points will help you to be safe, and please share with family members and friends.
Be Vigilant of Your Surroundings
Always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. People are often distracted by their phones or other little things when walking. Make sure that you’re aware of what’s going on around you so that you can spot when something is off. If you notice a person or a car following you, alert someone you trust immediately.
Avoid Walking Alone
Women have been forcibly kidnapped while walking on the street. You shouldn’t have to be restricted when you go out and it may seem unfair that you always have to be on the lookout, but for your own safety, try not to walk alone – especially in quiet areas.
Act Swiftly If Suspicious
Go into the nearest building and wait for the person or car to leave. Alert someone in the building that you’re being followed or call someone to pick you up if you can. Also, let someone you know that you’re going out and what time they can expect you to arrive at your destination.
Don’t Trust Easily
Some people who are trafficked are approached by strangers offering them a job or some kind of opportunity (like a modelling or singing career). Traffickers can approach you anywhere, on social media, at school, in the mall and even outside your house. Some traffickers might try to befriend you or form a relationship with you so that you trust them enough. Women can also be traffickers and are often used to lure victims because they seem more trusting than men.
Use Social Media Wisely
Be suspicious of strangers who approach you after you’ve posted something personal on your social media profile and their suddenly offering you help, advice, money, a place to stay or a job opportunity. If you’re getting random messages from people on social media, check your privacy settings, turn off your location settings on social media and only make your posts visible to your friends (not to the public). Also avoid checking in to places on social media (while you’re at the place especially).
Be Ready For Anything
Carry pepper spray with you on your key-chain. You also need to mentally prepare yourself to fight off the abductor. If you begin to be attacked, make a scene, yell for help, and fight back like your life depends on it (because it probably does)
Use Your Phone
Allow 3 of your closest friends or family members to track your phone via GPS so they know your whereabouts at all times. You can do with on most cell phones and allow a select few to have access to your location for 1 hour, 1 day, or indefinitely.
Trust Your Instincts
Listen to the intuitive voice inside your head. Check with family and friends for advice if you get offers that are too good to be true. Do Internet searches or background checks on the person wanting you to meet with them. Say no and see how they react. Look for signs of abusive or possessive behaviors. Is the person trying to isolate or turn you against family and friends? If so, avoid that person.
Meet Strangers In Public Places
Don’t let anyone know where you live until you get to know them. So for a date, meet them at a public place for the first few times until you get to know them and feel comfortable. Also stay in contact with friends and family if you’re out and about alone or with someone you don’t know very well.
Seek Help From Reliable Organizations
Traffickers also prey on young people who run away from home. If you’re having trouble at home, instead of running away and putting yourself at risk of being kidnapped or lured into dangerous, life-threatening situations by traffickers, rather seek help. You can seek counselling by calling Childline on 0800 055 555 or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) on 0800 12 13 14
How to Stop Human Trafficking
Fundraise for Human Trafficking Organisations so they can remain in existence to continue fighting human trafficking
Volunteer your time, services and resources to Human Trafficking Organisations
Hold events to raise awareness.Raising awareness for human trafficking can also get more people involved and interested in joining the fight. It can create a chain reaction, leading to more people lobbying, fundraising and educating themselves. Regardless of what the event is, they are efficient ways to raise awareness for a cause and gain new followers.
Help Survivors by donating clothes and other goods to shelters for victims of human trafficking. Also, encourage businesses to give jobs to survivors, helping them get back on their feet and get a fresh start. If applicable, offering legal advice to survivors allows them an opportunity to not only move forward but to gain justice. Helping survivors and contributing to their recovery stops the cycle of trauma in its tracks and ensures it won’t repeat itself. Stay informed by following relevant organizations on social media, read reportsas they are released
Report Suspicions to the Human Trafficking Resource Line (0800 222 777)/ SAPS (10111) / Childline (116)
Help Combat the Demand For Cheap Labour by boycotting products and companies that permit human trafficking. The Dept of Labour will be able to provide a list.
Should you wish to donate to help us fight and break the cycles of these vicious atrocities of Human Trafficking and Gender based Violence especially during these perilous times and far into the future, You will be assisting and enabling us to fulfill our mission to Save Lives Through Awareness and Education.
