In support of the 19-year-long global campaign 16 Days of Activism
against Gender Violence, IOM has released an animated video to
educate young internet users about the dangers of human trafficking
in South Africa.

Victims of human trafficking are among the most vulnerable to
violent abuse as they are usually recruited by deception or force,
transported to an unfamiliar location, and exploited through forced
labour or sexual slavery. A protracted process, human trafficking
exposes victims to repeated mental and physical abuse and violence
requiring greater protection and rehabilitation services than they
usually get.

"Children make up a fifth of the number of victims of
trafficking assisted by IOM in Southern Africa, so it is important
for young people to be aware of the dangers of human trafficking,"
says Mariam Khokhar, programme manager for IOM's Southern African
Counter-Trafficking Assistance Programme (SACTAP). "Traffickers
sometimes use the Internet as a tool for recruitment. It is for
this reason that the animation targets young Internet users with a
story that not only educates them about human trafficking, but also
teaches them how to avoid traffickers," she adds.

The animation recounts the story of a group of young children
who meet a trafficker on their way to school. They have to decide
whether to follow him when he promises them a better life. In class
they are taught about internal and cross-border trafficking using
case studies, and this knowledge helps them to avoid becoming
victims of trafficking. The cases used in the animation are based
on true stories from interviews conducted by IOM while assisting
actual victims in South Africa, which is a source, transit and
destination country for human trafficking.

Produced by IOM, the animation is available on IOM's website (
class="paragraph-link-no-underline" href="http://www.iom.org.za"
target="_blank" title="">www.iom.org.za) for free viewing,
download and dissemination. Copies can also be requested for free
dissemination or broadcast by contacting IOM through the
website.

IOM's SACTAP, currently funded by the Norwegian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the US Department of
State's Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), offers
direct and comprehensive assistance to victims of human
trafficking. It also carries out research and mass information
campaigns in addition to enhancing both public and law enforcement
capacity to respond to the phenomenon.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an
international campaign originating from the first Women's Global
Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global
Leadership in 1991. In South Africa, the campaign covers violence
against women and children.

For more information, please contact:

Nde Ndifonka

Tel: +27 12 342 2789

E-mail: "mailto:nndifonka@iom.int">nndifonka@iom.int