The trafficking of children for purposes of sexual exploitation

Table 6: Girls in the gang interviewed
Name From Age when at
first contact
with gang
Chantal
Lorraine
Belinda
Alicia
Cheryl
Jenny
Eastern Cape - ran
away from
reformatory – found
on street by the gang
leader
Went to house to
bring sister home
ended up staying
Sent by older sister to
get another sister who
was with the gang
leader, ended up
staying. Threatened
with violence when
she wanted to leave
Abducted, together
with two other girls,
near the Parade
Approached on the
street invited by some
of the girls to come to
a birthday party at the
house, in 1998. Was
raped and held
captive. Managed to
escape.
Abducted together
with two other girls,
near the Parade
Age at
time of
interview
Length
of stay
Work done:
distinguishing
features
15 21 5 years “Sex work”,
theft. Described
involvement in
a murder.
14 15 2 periods
of 3
months
each
“Sex work”,
theft
14 15 3 months “Sex work”,
theft
14 17 7 months “Sex work” Escaped
15 17 9 months “Sex work”,
theft
Method of
escape
Decided to leave
– hitch –hiked to
Eastern Cape
Went home with
knowledge of the
gang leader. Was
then abducted by
the gang and
could not leave
for another three
months. Left
after gang
leader’s arrest.
Left in January
2000, after gang
leader’s arrest
Escaped
14 16 3 months “Sex work” Escaped with
assistance from
would be sex
exploiter
63