The trafficking of children for purposes of sexual exploitation

Chapter 6
The role of gangs in the trafficking of children: A case
study
"Child prostitution has been a major cause of concern in recent years but there has been no widening of the debate and
instead, campaigning groups have simply become increasingly shrill in denouncing it. Yet, despite the passion that child
prostitution arouses, the children themselves have been largely silent. Many people are speaking in their name but few
people have listened to them and know who they are or how they perceive what they do." 121
1. Introduction
As described in chapter 2 a case study method for this chapter was decided upon as a result of the
external limitations placed on access to children. This in turn necessitated a snowball sampling
approach that led us to 18 children and one young woman who had been trafficked into a specific
gang.
A key determinant of access to the girls was the guarantee of their anonymity. In keeping with this
promise all names have been changed.
2. Context: Gangs and the sexual exploitation of children
Journalists, community organisations and community members have reported the involvement of
Cape Flats gangs 122 and crime syndicates in the traffic of girl children for purposes of sexual
exploitation. These reports indicate the primary methods of traffic as abduction and parental
collusion with gang leaders. According to one report there are "(some) areas (in which) it is
common knowledge that gangsters in the area run prostitution rings and kidnap girls, some as
young as 13, and turn them into sex workers." 123 Another report states that
"Cape Town City centre is controlled by up to 30 gangs who fight for control of drug dealing and child prostitution on
the streets. On every corner pimps offer drugs and/or children of both sexes for sex. Gangs operating on the Cape Flats
are calling in their loans to parents by demanding their children in exchange for debt owing. This debt is being
incurred because of high rates of poverty where the provision of basic food and accommodation comes from gangs.
These children are sold from brothels, or more and more openly on the street corners day and night." 124
A third report says, "According to Inspector Syster, of the Elsies River Police Station, girls between the ages of 12 and
17 are being used by drug dealers, taxi drivers and Nigerian citizens as prostitutes, to work on the streets." 125
Other alleged methods of traffic by gangs involve boy gang members acting as recruiters where the
gangs "identify girls at school, through boys who are members of these gangs." 126 The boys also
identify girls at clubs. A boy will have a relationship with the girl and then she'll be forced into
prostitution. In addition to this method gangs pay individuals from outside the gang to recruit girls.
The girls are then kept in specific places owned or rented by that gang. 127
121 H. Montgomery ' Children, Prostitution, and Identity: A Case Study from a Tourist Resort in Thailand' in K.
Kempadoo and J. Doezema (eds.): Global Sex Workers: Rights, Resistance and Redefinition, Routledge 1998 p. 150
122 Newspaper and other reports typically reflect the 'coloured' nature of Cape Flats gangs. Gangs however are not
restricted to the coloured communities of the Cape Flats. Gangs do operate in the African areas of the Cape Flats. They
are however under researched. These gangs' possible involvement in the traffic of children is not known.
123 Nazma Dreyer,' In My Opinion' Athlone News, 24 March 1999
124 'Important facts concerning the sexual exploitation of children' Asijiki 16/3/1999
125 T. Olivier Die Burger Ibid Own translation
126 126. Interview with independent researcher of gangs
127 Ibid
45