South African bishops warn against human trafficking, prostitution at World Cup

November 04, 2009

Warning that “South Africa has become a sort of ‘hub’ for trafficking in human persons,” Father Chris Townsend, spokesman for the nation’s bishops, is predicting a “sharp increase in trafficking of women forced to be prostituted” for the World Cup, which will be held in ten South African cities next June and July.

“Criminal organizations throughout the world, from Nigeria, Italy, Lebanon, China, all send thousands of women to be used as prostitutes in our country, while others are sent from South Africa to Europe and the Persian Gulf, for the same purpose,” said Father Townsend. “Thousands of women from all over the world are arriving-- not only from other African nations, but from Asian and European nations as well.”

In response, the South African bishops have launched a campaign to help parishioners identify victims of human trafficking and “help them to emerge from the nightmare that they have been thrown into by criminals.”

 

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Further information:

• “At the World Cup 2010, thousands of women will be taken to South Africa for prostitution” (Fides)
• Human trafficking in South Africa: 2010 and beyond (SACBC)
• Church on the Ball (SACBC)
• 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa