March 12, 2006 With the 2010 World Cup approaching, South Africa could expect a dramatic increase in human trafficking in order to supply prostitutes for the spectators. It is estimated that during the last world cup in Germany, an influx of approximately 40 000 women, illegally imported from other countries took place. DFL (Doctors For Life International) would like to call upon the government to start early enough to institute the necessary measures to prevent South Africa from repeating the exercise. Each year an estimated 600 000 to 800 000 people are trafficked across international borders. Of them 70 percent are female and 50 percent are children. The majority of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade. The evidence shows that medical pathologies resulting from trafficking and prostitution include bodily injuries such as broken bones, concussions, burns, as well as vaginal and anal tearing from violent assaults, stabbings, rapes, and torture; traumatic brain injury (resulting in memory loss, dizziness, headaches, numbness, etc.); sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis, UTI’s, and pubic lice; sterility, miscarriages, and menstrual problems; infectious diseases including TB, hepatitis, malaria, and pneumonia; drug and alcohol addition; forced abortions; and post-traumatic stress disorder, including nightmares, flashbacks, depression, depersonalization, disorientation, suicidal tendencies and suicide. Yet, even now, women are continuously targeted, especially the poor and vulnerable. With the highest rape statistics in the world, South African women have become soft targets for pimps, traffickers, drug dealers and rapists. Most rape cases aren’t reported and when they are, only 15% of the perpetrators are convicted. This is double injury. Unemployment is rising and those women, who are fortunate enough to be employed, have to work harder for their position in the workplace, where women are still discriminated against. Others have to find other means of making ends meet. Some become involved in prostitution, not through choice but through desperation. They are women who are hurt, or abused and afraid, women who are unloved and criticized because of their circumstances. The solution that is to be offered to these devastated and discouraged women is not the legalization of prostitution, the freedom to choose to be slaves. To be further degraded and abused is not freedom at all. Prostitution often guarantees the end of the line for employment opportunities. If a women survives the PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the likelihood of drug dependency, is her CV to state prostitution as previous work experience? Or her pimp as a contactable reference? The chances of finding alternative employment after prostitution are slim at the most. This is triple injury. Consequently DFL believes that, as a proactive measure, implementing sound approaches in the field to fight human trafficking will require educating and engaging healthcare professionals. They must understand that their task is not to simply treat symptoms, but to help rescue victims. The goal in the battle against slavery was not to legalise and control slavery, but to totally abolish it. Similarly, DFL believes that our goal should not be to control this modern form of human slavery by legalizing prostitution, but to totally abolish it. DFL believes that we can learn from the Swedish example. In Sweden the buying of sexual services is a criminal offence. This has dissuaded traffickers from trafficking women into Sweden. This has also lead to a decrease in the number of men who buy sexual services and a decrease in the recruitment of women into prostitution. Europol and national police forces in other European countries have consequently reported that Sweden is no longer an attractive market for traffickers. 'Doctors for Life International' represents more than 1000 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practise in South Africa. DFL’s activities include providing ground level assistance to women and children in prostitution. 'Doctors for Life International' represents more than 1400 medical doctors and specialists, three-quarters of who practice in South Africa. Since 1991 DFL has been actively promoting health care that is safe and efficient for all South Africans. DFL was founded as a South African organization in 1991 and has spread across the globe. DFL is involved in several community projects including orphan care, the care of terminal AIDS patients, malaria prevention and the care of abused women. |