By ‘Majirata Latela
Different stakeholders on Friday commemorated World Day Against Trafficking In Persons, under the theme “Victims’ Voices Lead the Way”.
The president of Beautiful Dream Society, Molikoe Lali, said the day is commemorated world wide on the July 30 to educate the public about issues of concern and to mobilize the political will and resources for the country to address issues such as this one.
“With this year’s theme, we have to collectively echo and amplify victims voices. If we cannot speak on behalf of their voices, the scourge will continue to be pervasive and eloquative behavior for perpetrators.
“Victims of trafficking continue to face traumatic stressful experiences in interviews and legal proceedings; some even face re-victimization by the very office bearers entrusted to make them feel at home or, worse, get punished for the crimes they were forced to commit by their perpetrators.
“They are further subjected to stigmatization by society or fail to receive unwavering support to help them be reintegrated into their societies.
“We need to draw from victims a road map from their suffering and by so doing we can formulate policies that can help us provide support and approaches to human trafficking,” he said.
Present at the occasion were the ministry of home affairs, police commissioners, representative from the magistrate court, victims of trafficking and organisations in the fights against human trafficking.
