It is a global challenge to garner accurate statistics on Human Trafficking, due to many factors including the fact that it is a crime that often hides behind the front of legitimate business or traditional cultural practice; it is often confused, especially initially, with other crimes such as domestic violence, kidnapping, rape and prostitution; victims live in fear and won’t come forward or assist law enforcement etc.
Over the years, stats in SA have varied between Departments, depending on the nature of their involvement and angle of their role in the counter-Trafficking process. However we now have a national data collection tool in place, which will assist going forward.
Statistics can also be garnered from the national Human Trafficking Hotline 0800 222 777 who are able to release stats and info based on the calls they receive in.
