Will the 2010 World Cup Increase Modern Day Slavery?
blurb:isstoday:030708sa2010
3 July 2008: Will the 2010 World Cup Increase Modern Day Slavery?
The 2010 Soccer World Cup is just around the corner and inevitably the option of decriminalising prostitution or sex work is being revisited. This raises questions as to whether South Africa would be adequately prepared to deal with the implications in terms of human rights, health and safety concerns surrounding an industry that is deeply wrought with exploitation, dehumanisation and abuse. Germany, The Netherlands and Australia have all legalised prostitution - a decision they couldn’t have taken lightly. It is believed that there has been a significant increase in the number of sex workers in these countries and their sex industries have since flourished. Can South Africa really afford to take the same route in 2010?
When addressing issues such as prostitution and its decriminalisation, cognisance should be taken of human trafficking and the severe impact organised crime has on these industries and ultimately on countries. Organised crime in the trafficking of persons has been closely linked to the sex work industry and from past events we can deduce its connection with big sporting events such as the World Cup. Human trafficking, largely involving women and girls, is a multi-faceted phenomenon involving stakeholders at institutional and commercial levels. Human trafficking is assisted by social and economic conditions prevalent in society. A primary driving force behind human trafficking is poverty, inadequate education and a lack of employment, which in many instances is the primary driving force for sex work.
The argument is that the World Cup will push up the demand for sex workers and the services they provide, so we should simply decriminalise this form of work and give the sex industry some dignity. But then, even if sex work is recognised as a profession, there is no guarantee that the women engaged in it will be treated with respect and that human trafficking in terms of the commercial sex industry will decrease. On the contrary, Germany and the Netherlands have seen the expansion of human trafficking and commercial sex industries since its legalisation.
South Africa faces many problems that can be linked to prostitution, including widespread poverty, unemployment and inadequate education. South Africa has been identified as being used by organised traffickers of human beings as a destination, transit country and as victims of this trade. Current legislation, the Sexual Offences Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act have been used to deal with trafficking in persons. When decriminalising prostitution, where would the lines be drawn - as pimps and organised traffickers have gained more control over the industry. New legislation needs to be drawn up very strategically in order to separate the sex trade from human trafficking.
South Africa can draw on the experiences of countries such as Germany in predicting the impact of decriminalising prostitution before the World Cup. Firstly, the time frame of decriminalising prostitution was much longer in Germany in comparison to the time available to South Africa. Germany was commended for taking precautions in terms of security to deal with matters of prostitution and trafficking before this event. This included the “Red Card for prostitution Campaign” to alert foreigners of the existence of trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Another lesson is that decriminalisation of prostitution does not guarantee the protection of health. The sex industry is by nature fraught with fundamental health risks, and in a country where HIV/AIDS is an epidemic, monitoring women by mandatory health check is unlikely to be the solution, as monitoring does not prevent transmission. The example Germany has set is one in which sex workers are able to join unions and access health insurance, however even after four years of legalisation many sex workers still prefer not to register due to stigmatisation. Many others do not go for mandatory health checks.
Poverty has been identified as a push factor for prostitution and human trafficking. The German experience was that legalisation could draw into the industry not only from those in poverty within the country but also many women from neighbouring countries seeking a better life.
Decriminalising goes hand in hand with dignity, for some. After years of legalisation of prostitution in Germany and The Netherlands, this profession has still not become normal. Sex workers do not have the benefits and security enjoyed by other workers. Exploitation and abuse is what women tolerate in this industry due to having no choice. The exploitation prevalent in this industry can be seen as a form of modern-day slavery as women are stripped of their dignity and are enslaved to those paying the bills or those purchasing their services.
Decriminalisation is not the only solution to the dangers faced by the sex industry. Proper mechanisms should be put in place to regulate this industry and to monitor the violence prevalent in it. Long-term effects on such an industry should not be forgotten when trying to host a successful World Cup. Human trafficking is exploitative in nature and will not end once the tournament has ended or when prostitution is decriminalised, as criminal activities grow in conditions conducive to exploitation.
Shanaaz Parker, Organised Crime and Money Laundering Programme, ISS Cape Town
