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The data

Documented cases

Every case on SlaveryMap, drawn from public sources and shown with its location deliberately generalized to protect survivors.

1,631documented cases
112countries
1981–2025years covered

631 of 1,631 cite a source · Updated

Sex Trafficking
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Matching cases

Sex Trafficking2011

Brooklyn, Cape Town, South Africa, 2011

South Africa ZA

The victim was dropped off at the hospital by her perpetrator because she had experienced severe physical abuse from her trafficker. While she was receiving treatment for the physical abuse after receiving psychosocial support from the social worker at the hospital , it emerged that she was a victim of trafficking and that her perpetrator was still trying to make contact with her while she was in hospital.The victim had left her home in the Eastern Cape and ended up in Johannesburg, when she arrived her and her friend were approached by a Nigerian man who promised them employment in Cape Town. On arrival they were forced into sex exploitation in a brothel in the Northern Suburbs in Cape Town. Local NGOs assisted with both the practical support and aftercare support.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2011

Cape Town, South Africa, 2011

South Africa ZA

Law enforcement raided a brothel in Cape Town which was being run by two Chinese women as part of a crime syndicate. The Captonian girl had responded to a job offer to be a masseuse, which had resulted in her working as a prostitute for the two traffickers. The other two Chinese victims had responded to a job offer just a few weeks before, where after they had been flown to Mozambique and driven over the South African border. The trafficker then took their passports away and told them that they were expected to repay a debt of R30 000. The girls were terrified, and had been told that if they talked to police or any men in uniform, the police would beat them and sell them to a black township where they would then be killed. One of the girls had her boyfriend in China deposit 30,000 into the bosses’ account hoping that by paying her debt the boss would let her go, but she still wouldn't let her leave. The other girl tried to send an SOS to the chinese consulate from a cell phone, but she got no response. The girls are totally uneducated and spoke no english.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

The boyfriend of the girl took her to Cape Town under the guise of a loving relationship. Soon after arriving he made her prostitute herself for money. Using drugs and intimidation he keeps her under his control.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Belville, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

The police were tipped off from a local who talked to one of the girls at the local McDonald's. They then went in to rescue the girls.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Cape Town, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

Mark Kozhanow, of the House of Rasputin and the Cape Dance Academy, brought Tatiana Malachi into South Africa to work as an exotic dancer in March 2009. Upon her arrival in the Country, Mark Kozhanow informed Malachi that her passport would be held for 30 days so that they could register her with the police. He then kept her passport for the duration of her employment and said he would not return her passport unless she paid him $2000 for her air ticket and R20,000 as levy. Malachi was unable to pay this as she was not earning sufficient income but was instead was obliged to pay R2,700 per week to the club (House of Rasputin). Over the course of her three month 'employment' Malachi had accumulated R120,940 in debt (this also included a R37,000 charge for the agent who located her). Kozhanow has been quoted saying that he knows the recipe for keeping girls who want to leave because they can not pay their travel debts "Immigration Attorney," Says Kozhanow, "He keeps their passports." After one month of working at the club, Malachi approached her employers and voiced a concern over her mounting debt, she said she felt trapped and wanted to go home, but her the club was not interested and wouldn't return her passport. Malachi did not want to do more the strip dance to earn extra tips.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Durban, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

Sayed and Chuchumporn are due to be sentenced on May 10 and face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or R100m fine, he said. The duo were arrested in 2007 after three Thai woman fled their brothel on Umbilo road and sought sanctuary at their embassy. The woman were recruited by Chuchumporn in Thailand. Recruited as prostitutes "It was clear from the moment they left Thailand it was for prostitution. There were no false pretences," said Mhaga. Though the women knew they were recruited to be prostitutes, the harsh treatment they received at the brothel forced them to flee. "It was also revealed that they were responsible for managing operations and activities at the said premises. The premises were therefore identified as the central operational point for the unauthorised and unlawful activities," said Mhaga. "There was therefore an existence of an organised human trafficking structure where females were being sexually exploited for a profit." Sayed and Chuchumporn are presently out on bail of R30 000 and R5 000, respectively. They were convicted on 19 counts. In addition to racketeering, they were convicted for contravention of the Sexual Offences Act and Immigration Act and money laundering. Police confiscated R19 700 and have shut down the Umbilo road brothel.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Durban, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article369559.ece A South African couple, Sayed and Chuchumporn, have been arrested after three Thai women fled their brothel on Umbilo Road in Durban. The women were recruited by Chuchumporn in Thailand and although they knew that they were being recruited to be prostitutes, the harsh treatment that they received at the brothel forced them to flee and seek the help of their embassy. The details of their story are unknown. Further investigation revealed that the couple was responsible for managing operations and activities at the said premises. The brothel was therefore identified as the central point for the unauthorized, illegal activities. There was an organized human trafficking structure where women were being sexually exploited.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Ermelo, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

Nine Nigerian men were arrested for allegedly trafficking twelve women, between the ages of 18 and 30, from around the country to Ermelo and forcing them into prostitution. Home affairs officials confirmed that the suspects applied for asylum in South Africa, and according to the information in their application forms, they do not qualify for asylum. The women were given R30 a day for food, and from time to time they were forced to take drugs to ensure they remained addicts. The twelve women, between the ages of 18 and 30, told the police the men took all their earnings and the y were not paid for the jobs that they were doing.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

On Saturday, May 29th, Police were tipped off about a number of women between 23 and 27 years old, who were being sexually exploited in Kempton Park. The Hawks specialized crime-fighting unit raided the brothel. The women are suspected to have been trafficked, but further investigation is occurring.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Mpumalnaga, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

Nine Nigerian men were arrested for alleged human trafficking. The nine Nigerians had applied for asylum in South Africa although they did not qualify. The men took 12 woman with them all over the country and forced to them to prostitute themselves. The women were given drugs to keep them submissive and they were given R30 a day for food.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

On May 15, 2010 the City of Cape Town's Vice Squad raided the house. All of the girls except for one were out of the house because of work. The girls were on study visas. No one was rescued and shortly after the raid the girls were moved to a different suburban naighborhood.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

Her parents had reported her missing, so the police recognized her when they picked her up on the street (initially thinking she was a prostitute). They attempted to identify the foreign nationals as well as the friend that helped them traffick the girl, but they did not have any luck finding them.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

Sophiatown informal settlement in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

The parents of this 13 year old girl sold her to a 24 year old. She was originally from Maputo, Mozambique. Apparently, he paid ilobolo for her. He would lock her up all day while he went to work. Here is what the article has to say: The girl told how her "husband" was very strict. "He locks me in the house all day. I am not allowed to go outside and speak to other people. If he sees me with someone else he beats me." "He promises to let me call my parents back home but never keeps his word," she said. He also prevented her from seeking help by bribing her with food, clothes and money. She said she wanted to go back home and return to school. She was in Grade 4 when she left.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2010

South Africa, South Africa, 2010

South Africa ZA

The Mozambican police say they have arrested seven people suspected of trafficking women to neighboring South Africa to work as prostitutes. Ms. Mahumane said the women were on sale for about $670 each. The police say the trafficking syndicate has 15 Mozambicans and several Chinese citizens. Two suspects said they were also trafficking Chinese women to South Africa.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2009

East London, South Africa, 2009

South Africa ZA

Vasile Oaches, 26, Gheorghe Mihali, 22, and Vasile Maris, 29, all from Meanley Road in Manor Park. A 19-year-old girl who was also arrested during the operation has been bailed to return to an East London police station in December, pending further police enquiries.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2009

Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2009

South Africa ZA

The Article: FOR millions of football fans across the globe, next year's World Cup will be the time of their lives. But for Winnie Khumalo, it will bring only more pain to her miserable existence. Just 14, she is one of around 10,000 child prostitutes working in the shadow of Johannesburg's awesome, Soccer City stadium. Map ... Soccer City, South Africa Last night the final nations qualified for the tournament - with the hope of reaching the final at the amazing arena, which seats 95,000 fans and cost a staggering £120million. In stark contrast, punters pay Winnie £2.40 for sex with her. Shockingly, she has been a prostitute since she was 11, and now sleeps with up to 20 men a day. And she knows just what next year's influx of tens of thousands of World Cup tourists to the city will mean for her - and other poor young girls lured to the city with the hopes of finding a job and a better life. Speaking in her native Zulu through a translator, Winnie says: "Other girls from villages like mine think the World Cup will give them jobs as waitresses or cleaners. But they will be caught by men who promise them a nice life." Winnie, who is too scared of her brothel bosses to escape, adds: "I did not choose to do this. I wish I could get out but it's no use." Her ordeal began when she left her home in a township near Port Shepstone three years ago and travelled the 600 miles to Johannesburg in search of work as a housemaid. A brothel owner's henchman spotted her on the street, befriended her and lured her to a house, promising to take care of her. Winnie says: "On my third day in the city the guy I met showed me upstairs and said, 'This is your room'. Then he gave me alcohol and wanted to come to bed with me. Beer "I didn't know what was going on but when he was on top of me it hurt so much. Then he brought another man to my room and when I protested, he hit me. So I started drinking more beer." Promise of new life ... South Africa World Cup Our investigators find Winnie after entering the brothel in the dark streets of Hillbrow, an inner-city district so dangerous that even the police fear to patrol there. She is wearing a clingy silver dress that is meant to be sexy, but it is draped on the body of an adolescent. She says poignantly: "Men like me because I am young and do what they ask. When I began this work my chest was flat - my breasts have grown since then. "Now I'm getting a bit older they probably won't be so interested for much longer." Winnie's warning to other young girls was this week echoed by organisations in South Africa who believe the World Cup will put children in host cities such as Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town in danger of being sexually exploited. World Cup head of security Linda Mti says she is working with intelligence agencies to identify "unsavoury elements". The Department of Social Development has announced that a Child Protection Action Plan will be operational by March. All Winnie can hope is that these measures will prevent others falling into the same dismal life as hers. She shares her room with three other girls, taking turns to service men behind the bars of her door on a ten-cell corridor filled with the stale stench of crack cocaine. Her legs are scarred from rough sex and beatings and she operates with a knife under her pillow. She says: "I am less frightened these days, but when a man puts a gun to my head I want to scream. World class ... Joburg's Soccer City stadium "That happens quite often, especially when they want to do it without a condom. At times like that, I decide I will run away. It's like I have a flash of light or something. It makes me want to go back to school, I want to have a good life. But if I go out into the street, the boss follows me and brings me back. He has people everywhere. I'm scared to break his rules." To get through her daily ordeal, Winnie drinks, morning and night. She says: "They tried to make me do drugs but I always say no. My brain is the last power I'll give up. "I beg the police and the teachers in schools to tell girls what this place is really like." Statistics released by the South African Professional Society On The Abuse of Children indicate around 530 child rapes occur every day across the country, though fewer than 60 are reported to police. Officials believe children are the victims in 45 per cent of all rape cases nationwide. Advertisement Domestic crimes contribute to the alarming figures, but child prostitution is responsible for a large proportion. Many victims are trafficked and the vast majority become infected with HIV. For teenagers such as Winnie things can seem desperate yet there is a glimmer of hope - just a mile down the road, charity workers at the New Life Centre offer vulnerable sex workers a second chance. They visit the 100-odd brothels operating above bars in the rundown district, giving health advice and urging young girls to break free. Manager Khopotso Nakin says wealthy gang lords are grooming underage girls as upmarket hookers aimed at fans including the 25,000 England supporters set to descend on South Africa. She says: "They persuade beautiful young girls that the World Cup will mean new jobs and a bright future. They put several at a time into homes they have bought here in the city. "Victims come from Thailand, Eastern Europe and even China. They never see the light again. Many men who are offered their beautiful bodies will not realise how young they are. "They appear clean and willing, but actually they are locked in squalid rooms most of the time. "I hope very much that one day Winnie comes to us, but it is incredibly hard for someone like her to break the cycle and have the courage that she will escape unharmed." Pimp Another prostitute, 25-year-old Nolukhanyo Vasi, was infected with HIV as a teenager after her aunt sold her to a pimp at the age of 14. Unfair game ... Nolukhanyo Vasi MILLER & MACLEAN She now helps the desperate new arrivals at the New Life Centre come off drugs, get medical treatment and set about finding alternative work. But the charity can pay her just £48 a month. And with a £32 rent bill to pay and a young son to feed, she is forced to continue working the streets. She says: "Life is hard and when I have no money to eat, I force myself to do it again. It's never been as hard as the first time. "My aunt had brought me from my home village and I trusted her. She told me and my parents I could live at her house. But one day she took me to a bar in town. "She pulled a mini-skirt, high heels and a backless white top out of her bag and told me to put them on. "A guy came over to us and asked, 'How much?' I didn't understand what was going on. Then my aunt said to me, 'Look, if you want to have money here you must sleep with a man'. "They took me upstairs to a room with a bed in it. The man handed my aunt some coins and before she left she put a condom on him. She knew I had no idea about things like that. "It was very painful and I was crying, but the man told me to stop being selfish. "I never saw my aunt again. The manager was good to me for a while but when I grew up a bit he got tired of me. "If I refused to do what he said he would beat me with a leather whip." Nolukhanyo dreads telling her nine-year-old son she has no idea who his father is. She says: "How can I admit to him I was a prostitute? "He is free of HIV, thank God, but we both will carry that shame for ever. "I can no longer have a relationship with a man. I have never been treated as a woman, just a thing. "When you are mistreated at such a young age you just expect to be damaged by everyone. "If any young girl thinks coming to Johannesburg in 2010 will bring her happiness, she should think again." To donate to the New Life Centre, email newlifeforgirls@yahoo.com.

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2007

Johannesburg, South Africa, 2007

South Africa ZA

Police intervened."This comes after a complainant opened a case of abduction earlier in the day. It is alleged that the couple abducted a 19-year-old female who was brought to South Africa from Zimbabwe about a week ago under the pretext that she was going to be employed," said Xaba. The couple then demanded R1800 ransom money from the woman's brother. "An arrangement was made with the suspects to meet at a nearby shopping centre where a ransom was to be paid," said Xaba. But the police pounced on the couple and arrested them.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking2006

After Dark Gentlemans' Club, South Africa, 2006

South Africa ZA

The Gauteng kingpin is said to have direct links to human trafficking syndicates in Thailand and usually receives new recruits from OR Tambo International Airport.The sources said that three kingpins - who were now in hiding - had been identified, two in KwaZulu-Natal and one in Gauteng, and warrants for their arrest had been issued. Unconfirmed reports state that the police, as part of their ongoing investigations, have uncovered a money trail between South African criminals and their Thai counterparts, running into millions of rands.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016
Sex Trafficking1984

Cape Town, South Africa, 1984

South Africa ZA

Julienne’s sister, Antoinette and her sister’s fiancé Joseph Davis.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016