The vulnerabilities and drivers of child trafficking: A qualitative analysis using secondary data

Abstract

The National Crime Prevention Strategy Pillar is aimed at reducing crime by focusing on crime across borders, amongst which is the trafficking of persons. This study aims to analyse the vulnerabilities of children to trafficking in South Africa. A qualitative research approach was used to explain the vulnerabilities of child trafficking in our society. Data was collected using a secondary data collection method wherein information was obtained from published materials and reports. The findings reveal that poverty, unemployment and lack of education increase the likelihood of child trafficking. Poverty is the main factor, particularly in underdeveloped and rural regions of South Africa. Therefore, families facing economic hardship are easily deceived by traffickers, especially those unaware of trafficking risks. It revealed that awareness campaigns and school programs are the key strategies to prevent child trafficking by educating families and learners on trafficking risks. It also recommends expanding education efforts and increasing economic support to address a major influence of trafficking poverty. Therefore, concluding that successful public outreach and awareness campaigns can aid in the detection of human trafficking cases, increase public support for local and governmental action, and eventually aid in the prevention of child trafficking.

Keywords: {'name': 'Child, Child trafficking, human trafficking, criminal justice.'}

Authors & affiliations

Khethiwe Madima
Affiliation not supplied

Puseletso Athalia Dewee
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

DOI: 10.24198/sosiohumaniora.v23i3.30989

Atoi, E. N., Sadiku, A. O., & Kume, Y. B. (2020). Religious moral values and the menace of corruption in Nigeria. NIU Journal of Humanities, 5(1), 115-122.

DOI: 10.1177/21582440211069379

DOI: 10.1080/23322705.2020.1690097

Chothia, F. (2024). Joslin Smith disappearance: South African mother and boyfriend charged with trafficking. BBC Available at Joslin Smith disappearance: South African mother and boyfriend charged with trafficking Accessed 07 April 2025

DOI: 10.1007/s10624-022-09655-8

Easton, H., & Matthews, R. (2012). Investigating the experiences of people trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation in Scotland. Equality and Human Rights Commission Research report, 822011.

DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00725-0

DOI: 10.1177/0025802421993364

DOI: 10.54183/jssr.v2i3.136

DOI: 10.1007/s10691-020-09447-x

DOI: 10.1177/1524838020985561

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105674

McCain, N. (2022, July 6). Two more arrested for allegedly holding 39 human trafficking victims, including children, on farm. News24. https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/two-more-arrested-for-allegedly-holding-39-human-trafficking-victims-including-children-on-farm-20220706

DOI: 10.2991/978-2-38476-366-5_65

DOI: 10.3390/socsci10020058

DOI: 10.1007/s10896-025-00831-2

Obasi, R. (2024). The ripple effect of grassroots partnerships. UNtoday. https://untoday.org/the-ripple-effect-of-grassroots-partnerships/.

Pandey, S. (2020). Raid, rescue, and rehabilitation: An exploratory study of effective anti-trafficking interventions for the survivors of sex trafficking of brothel-based prostitution. Social Work & Society, 18(3).

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238778

DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-8606.2008.00035.x

DOI: 10.1108/REPS-03-2019-0029

DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104083

DOI: 10.1353/hrq.2007.0011

DOI: 10.20355/jcie29464

South Africa. (1996). The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. Pretoria: Government Printers.

South Africa. (2013). The Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, No. 7 of 2013. Pretoria: Government Printers.

South African Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC). (2019). The State of Human Trafficking in South Africa: Strategies and Vulnerabilities. Retrieved from https://www.hsrc.ac.za.

UNICEF. (2022). Protecting children in cyberconflicts. https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/innocenti/reports/protecting-children-cyberconflicts

UNICEF. (2023). Child marriage. https://www.unicef.org/protection/child-marriage

United States Department of State. (2018). Trafficking in persons report. https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdos/2018/en/121153

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2020). Global report on trafficking in persons. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/glotip.html

Yesufu, S. (2020). Human trafficking: a South African perspective. e-BANGI, 17(6), 103-120.