Latest News Archive
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News Items
| 2024-09-26 |
Book Project at Mangaung Correctional Centre |
| 2024-09-26 |
Book Project at Mangaung Correctional Centre |
| 2024-09-26 |
UFS worm farming project grows to the next level |
| 2024-09-26 |
UFS worm farming project grows to the next level |
| 2024-09-25 |
Boyden Observatory: A Legacy of Astrophysical Discovery and Community Engagement |
| 2024-09-25 |
Boyden Observatory: A Legacy of Astrophysical Discovery and Community Engagement |
| 2024-09-25 |
Prof Louise Cilliers wins the 2024 UJ Translation Prize |
| 2024-09-25 |
Prof Louise Cilliers wins the 2024 UJ Translation Prize |
| 2024-09-25 |
Celebrating diversity: UFS hosts vibrant Multilingual Mokete |
| 2024-09-25 |
Celebrating diversity: UFS hosts vibrant Multilingual Mokete |
| 2024-09-24 |
UFS members form part of change at the 2024 FISU World Forum |
| 2024-09-24 |
UFS members form part of change at the 2024 FISU World Forum |
| 2024-09-24 |
Louzanne Coetzee back in Bloemfontein! |
| 2024-09-24 |
Louzanne Coetzee back in Bloemfontein! |
| 2024-09-20 |
SA plant extracts and zebrafish larvae could hold key to better epilepsy medication |
| 2024-09-20 |
SA plant extracts and zebrafish larvae could hold key to better epilepsy medication |
| 2024-09-20 |
Vincent Mahapa takes home the Dux Award |
| 2024-09-20 |
Vincent Mahapa takes home the Dux Award |
| 2024-09-19 |
GEADO donates sanitary towels to community development initiative |
| 2024-09-19 |
GEADO donates sanitary towels to community development initiative |
| 2024-09-19 |
#HeritageMonth: University Lotto Sculpture Project: Visible but dead |
| 2024-09-19 |
#HeritageMonth: University Lotto Sculpture Project: Visible but dead |
| 2024-09-19 |
#HeritageMonth: Let's not forget overlooked ‘voices’ in celebrating 30 years of democracy |
| 2024-09-19 |
#HeritageMonth: Let's not forget overlooked ‘voices’ in celebrating 30 years of democracy |
| 2024-09-18 |
Your untold story can contribute to broadening our heritage narrative |
| 2024-09-18 |
Your untold story can contribute to broadening our heritage narrative |
| 2024-09-17 |
Local youth trailblazer honoured for outstanding community service |
| 2024-09-17 |
Local youth trailblazer honoured for outstanding community service |
| 2024-09-17 |
UFS Alumna Miné Kleynhans wins SASOL New Signatures Art Competition |
| 2024-09-17 |
UFS Alumna Miné Kleynhans wins SASOL New Signatures Art Competition |
| 2024-09-16 |
UFS postdoctoral fellow hopes participation at international conferences will create research networks |
| 2024-09-16 |
UFS postdoctoral fellow hopes participation at international conferences will create research networks |
| 2024-09-16 |
#ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth: Early diagnosis is crucial, significantly improving survival rates |
| 2024-09-16 |
#ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth: Early diagnosis is crucial, significantly improving survival rates |
| 2024-09-13 |
Notice regarding the nomination and election of two (2) representatives of the Convocation to the University of the Free State (UFS) Council |
| 2024-09-13 |
Notice regarding the nomination and election of two (2) representatives of the Convocation to the University of the Free State (UFS) Council |
| 2024-09-13 |
NRF B3 rating acknowledges Prof Martin Nyaga’s high-quality research |
| 2024-09-13 |
NRF B3 rating acknowledges Prof Martin Nyaga’s high-quality research |
| 2024-09-13 |
Deaf awareness is more than a celebration, it’s a call for action |
| 2024-09-13 |
Deaf awareness is more than a celebration, it’s a call for action |
| 2024-09-12 |
Empowering families for better health: UFS’ innovative approach to maternal and neonatal care |
| 2024-09-12 |
Empowering families for better health: UFS’ innovative approach to maternal and neonatal care |
| 2024-09-12 |
Office for International Affairs attends the 26th annual IEASA Conference |
| 2024-09-12 |
Office for International Affairs attends the 26th annual IEASA Conference |
| 2024-09-11 |
Jagersfontein reclaims its narrative through art and digital storytelling |
| 2024-09-11 |
Jagersfontein reclaims its narrative through art and digital storytelling |
| 2024-09-11 |
Conversing on social justice: a West College initiative |
| 2024-09-11 |
Conversing on social justice: a West College initiative |
| 2024-09-11 |
Vice-Chancellor's Concert 2024: an evening of music, talent, and farewells |
| 2024-09-11 |
Vice-Chancellor's Concert 2024: an evening of music, talent, and farewells |
| 2024-09-11 |
Green Solutions: The Panacea to Global Disease Burden, Prof Anofi Ashafa's inaugural lecture |
| 2024-09-11 |
Green Solutions: The Panacea to Global Disease Burden, Prof Anofi Ashafa's inaugural lecture |
| 2024-09-10 |
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay: More needs to be done |
| 2024-09-10 |
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay: More needs to be done |
| 2024-09-10 |
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay: We simply cannot afford to avoid the conversation anymore |
| 2024-09-10 |
#WorldSuicidePreventionDay: We simply cannot afford to avoid the conversation anymore |
| 2024-09-09 |
UFS sets new benchmark with successful 2024/2025 CSRC elections |
| 2024-09-09 |
UFS sets new benchmark with successful 2024/2025 CSRC elections |
| 2024-09-09 |
Southern African Mountain Conference 2025 returns to UFS |
| 2024-09-09 |
Southern African Mountain Conference 2025 returns to UFS |
| 2024-09-06 |
Louzanne Coetzee wins bronze in record-breaking Paralympic 1 500 m T11 race |
| 2024-09-06 |
Louzanne Coetzee wins bronze in record-breaking Paralympic 1 500 m T11 race |
| 2024-09-05 |
#DeafAwarenessMonth: Advocating for quality education for deaf children |
| 2024-09-05 |
#DeafAwarenessMonth: Advocating for quality education for deaf children |
| 2024-09-04 |
Prof Jeremy Smith at his inaugural lecture: ‘Being Finished is Finished’ |
| 2024-09-04 |
Prof Jeremy Smith at his inaugural lecture: ‘Being Finished is Finished’ |
| 2024-09-03 |
Head of International Scholarships selected for prestigious US International Visitor Leadership Programme |
| 2024-09-03 |
Head of International Scholarships selected for prestigious US International Visitor Leadership Programme |
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. |