5. BBe AwareThe exploitation and enslavement of women and children are rife in South Africa. The 2010 FIFA World Cup is bringing in an estimated 500,000 tourists, thus increasing the demand upon the sex industry. A high rate of poverty in South Africa means that the poor are easily exploited.
6. South Africa has high HIV and AIDS Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most heavily affected by HIV worldwide, accounting for over two thirds (67%) of all people living with HIV and for nearly three quarters (72%) of AIDS-related deaths in 2008. All schools in SA are out for the 5 weeks during the WC The five-week school break during the 2010 FIFA World Cup could lead to hundreds of children being recruited into child prostitution rings and thousands more being trafficked. Poverty, high unemploymentPoverty, high unemployment and lack of opportunity can create a means for survival which ultimately drives trafficking in human persons.
7. S Sex Industry Paying for sex in South Africa means funding human trafficking, child prostitution, and sex slavery. Many women and children are taken and made into ‘sex workers’ against their will, and without the means to find help, and South Africa lacks the resources to effectively police this industry. Indulging in any paid sex creates a market for sex slavery. Prostitution is never ‘just sex’.
8. * Other countries that have legalized/decriminalize prostitution have seen many harmful effects. -The Mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, has admitted that the policy of legalization has been a failure and has instituted a reversal. He states that organized crime dominated the industry in which sex trafficking, exploitation, drug abuse and money laundering was rife. * Sex workers, human trafficking, child prostitution, violence, crime, policeabuse, drugs and HIV/AIDS are all linked in the industry.
9. * Legalizing prostitution closes access of finding victims who are being trafficked.-Estimated 50-90% of women working in the red light district are actually sex slaves…Dutch politicians argue that it cannot be established whether or not a prostitute works voluntarily. * South Africa lacks ability to effectively police Sex Industry.-Presently, South Africa law considers sex work a crime, but the difficulty in policing the industry has led to its unofficial decriminalization.
10. TTrafficking (known as modern day slavery)Human Trafficking is a lucrative business, (7-10 billion US dollars annually), and involves the sale of people into slave-like labour, prostitution, forced marriage, and even the sale of their body parts. Consider the following findings:* It is estimated that 27 million people in the world today are slaves. Most trafficked victims are girls between 5-15 years of age.* The 2010 World Cup provides opportunities for traffickers. For example, fake agents are recruiting young boys, promising them soccer camps, training or scouting, and then selling them for sex and labour.
11. * The cost for rehabilitation of the victims of human trafficking is expensive and has life-long effects.* Although non-compliant, South Africa is on Tier 2 watch, meaning that the government is making significant efforts to bring the country into conformity with the Act.Purpose for human trafficking: -Slave-like labor -Prostitution -Forced Marriage -Sale of their organs or body parts
12. A AIDSAIDS is connected to the sex industry, putting both the users and the victims of the industry at risk. South Africa is the world’s largest (5.7 million).* Estimated over 1000 people died a day in South Africa from AIDS related deaths in 2008* Almost 1 in 3 women aged 25-29 and over a one-in-four men aged 30-34 are currently living with HIV in South Africa.
13. * In 2008, 430,000 children under age 15 were infected with HIV and 270,000 died of AIDS.1, 4 In addition, about 15 million children have lost one or both parents due to the disease. * Sex - Since 90% - 95% of HIV is transmitted through sex.* Average life expectancy in South Africa is estimated 50 years. * Having many sexual partners increases markedly between 2002 and 2008. Among males aged 15-49 increased from 9.4% in 2002 to 19.3% in 2008, whilst among females the increase was from 1.6% to 3.7%.
14. I Involves everyone “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson MandelaWe all have a duty to abstain from sexual consumerism, to encourage faithfulness and responsibility, and to protect the defenceless.
15. N Now what?Commit to abstain as a declaration against: * Sexual Promiscuity – Be faithful to your partner, Keeping sex within the bond of marriage.* Exploitation in the Sex Industry, Including Prostitution, Paedophilia, and Rape.* Human Trafficking – Be informed and Raise awareness. Call I.O.M help line 0800-555-999 for more information.