Latest News Archive
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News Items
2019-05-31 |
The Future Is Here: Download the KovsieApp |
2019-05-31 |
The Future Is Here: Download the KovsieApp |
2019-05-30 |
#AfricaDay Memorial Lecture: African identity rooted in Ubuntu |
2019-05-30 |
#AfricaDay Memorial Lecture: African identity rooted in Ubuntu |
2019-05-30 |
Housing and Residence Affairs promotes quality accommodation for students |
2019-05-30 |
Housing and Residence Affairs promotes quality accommodation for students |
2019-05-29 |
Prof Francis Petersen addresses the National Press Club |
2019-05-29 |
Prof Francis Petersen addresses the National Press Club |
2019-05-29 |
Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup |
2019-05-29 |
Three Kovsies off to Netball World Cup |
2019-05-29 |
Epistemic justice is crucial for a sustainable democratic future |
2019-05-29 |
Epistemic justice is crucial for a sustainable democratic future |
2019-05-29 |
‘Courts must embrace 4IR’, says Judge President Musi |
2019-05-29 |
‘Courts must embrace 4IR’, says Judge President Musi |
2019-05-28 |
Steady on the stress: Tips for fighting exam anxiety |
2019-05-28 |
Steady on the stress: Tips for fighting exam anxiety |
2019-05-28 |
Students pay it forward with meals this Africa Month |
2019-05-28 |
Students pay it forward with meals this Africa Month |
2019-05-28 |
Kovsie’s Siphila Dlamini leads 15th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum |
2019-05-28 |
Kovsie’s Siphila Dlamini leads 15th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum |
2019-05-28 |
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of Africa |
2019-05-28 |
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of Africa |
2019-05-27 |
Communique from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to the University Community |
2019-05-27 |
Communique from the Rector and Vice-Chancellor to the University Community |
2019-05-24 |
Investigative journalism at the forefront at #GangsterState discussion |
2019-05-24 |
Investigative journalism at the forefront at #GangsterState discussion |
2019-06-03 |
2019 June graduations to honour master’s and doctoral degrees |
2019-06-03 |
2019 June graduations to honour master’s and doctoral degrees |
2019-05-21 |
UFS struts academic excellence at 2019 Open Day |
2019-05-21 |
UFS struts academic excellence at 2019 Open Day |
2019-05-21 |
Graduates told to uphold honourable character |
2019-05-21 |
Graduates told to uphold honourable character |
2019-05-21 |
Digital Storytelling Lab: Where stories and technology meet |
2019-05-21 |
Digital Storytelling Lab: Where stories and technology meet |
2019-05-17 |
Agribusiness Transformation Programme, empowering black emerging farmers |
2019-05-17 |
Agribusiness Transformation Programme, empowering black emerging farmers |
2019-05-14 |
Qwaqwa Campus is ready for graduations |
2019-05-14 |
Qwaqwa Campus is ready for graduations |
2019-05-13 |
Absa supports UFS students through to graduation |
2019-05-13 |
Absa supports UFS students through to graduation |
2019-05-13 |
Global body re-affirms UFS lab’s vaccine testing status |
2019-05-13 |
Global body re-affirms UFS lab’s vaccine testing status |
2019-05-13 |
Your future is here; this is the place to be, future Kovsies are told |
2019-05-13 |
Your future is here; this is the place to be, future Kovsies are told |
2019-05-09 |
More success for netballers in different competition? |
2019-05-09 |
More success for netballers in different competition? |
2019-05-07 |
UFS prioritises student well-being through Social Support Unit |
2019-05-07 |
UFS prioritises student well-being through Social Support Unit |
2019-05-07 |
Crime dialogue elicits commitment to ensure tighter security |
2019-05-07 |
Crime dialogue elicits commitment to ensure tighter security |
2019-05-06 |
Africa Month to unpack pressing topics following elections |
2019-05-06 |
Africa Month to unpack pressing topics following elections |
2019-05-06 |
Kovsie Advice: Exam edition is out |
2019-05-06 |
Kovsie Advice: Exam edition is out |
2019-05-06 |
Mr Nikile Ntsababa appointed as Registrar of the UFS |
2019-05-06 |
Mr Nikile Ntsababa appointed as Registrar of the UFS |
2019-05-06 |
The Youth Vote: Political Patronising Must Fall |
2019-05-06 |
The Youth Vote: Political Patronising Must Fall |
2019-05-03 |
Wheelchair donation allows David to pursue his athletic dream |
2019-05-03 |
Wheelchair donation allows David to pursue his athletic dream |
2019-05-03 |
Long jumper Lynique dreams big |
2019-05-03 |
Long jumper Lynique dreams big |
2019-05-03 |
Hockey coach excited about team’s chances |
2019-05-03 |
Hockey coach excited about team’s chances |
2019-05-02 |
UFS Debate Society win Jozi Rumble again! |
2019-05-02 |
UFS Debate Society win Jozi Rumble again! |
UFS’s Unit for Children’s Rights instrumental in helping human trafficked victim
2010-03-29
|
Adv. Beatri Kruger.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs |
“Wheeling and dealing is part of our daily life. But what if the ‘product’ bought or sold is not a spanner or a cell phone, but a living human being? Disturbing news came to the fore... apart from other places in the country, and for that matter all over the world, it was discovered that people are treated like commodities here in Bloemfontein as well,” said Adv. Beatri Kruger from the Unit for Children’s Rights at the University of the Free State (UFS).
Adv. Kruger was instrumental in completing and availing the first comprehensive Research Report on Human Trafficking in South Africa to the public on 23 March 2010. As a member of the Reference Group advising on interim research reports on human trafficking, she contributed to the report. The report proves to be an extremely valuable tool for, among others, government departments and non-governmental organisations that use it as a guideline in planning interventions to combat human trafficking.
The Unit for Children’s Rights is also one of the founding members of the Free State Human Trafficking Forum (FHF). To react on and fight the disturbing reality of human trafficking more efficiently, a number of concerned role players such as Child Welfare and other non-governmental organisations, police officials, prosecutors, social workers, health practitioners, private businesses, churches and community organisations joined forces and formed the FHF. The Unit for Children’s Rights hosts monthly meetings at the UFS to facilitate the coordination of this multi-disciplinary counter-trafficking team.
Adv. Kruger is very excited about some of the successes of the FHF; such as the story of Soma (not her real name). This Indian woman was recruited in India by an Indian couple who are staying in South Africa, by promising her a good job in South Africa. However, instead of finding the promised job, Soma was extensively exploited for labour purposes. With the help of a “good Samaritan” she managed to escape from the perpetrators and fled to the police. Soma was removed to ensure her safety and accommodated in a safe place in Bloemfontein. Counselling and other services were rendered to her by an organisation which is also a member of the FHF. One of the challenges facing Soma and the service providers was that Soma speaks a foreign dialect and for weeks a trusted interpreter could not be found.
This obstacle rendered communication with her to the bare minimum. The perpetrators were arrested but unfortunately the new comprehensive counter-trafficking law is not in force yet. Therefore the perpetrators could only be convicted of some offences in the Immigration Act. However, due to good police investigation followed by shrewd consultations, the perpetrators agreed to pay for the victim’s return flight to India as well as for the flight ticket of the investigating officer to escort her to safety. The Unit for Children’s Rights did networking with Ms Maria Nikolovska of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), who agreed to assist in the safe reintegration of Soma in India. Soma is now on her way back home. |