DSD STRENGTHEN COLLABORATIONS AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS PART OF THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT MONTH

By Nonhlakanipho Masola.

• As Social Development Month rolls out across the country, it allows stakeholders to draw attention to the many and various social programmes available.
• The Department of Social Development’s Family Unit headed to Bosman in Pretoria to engage with different organisations tackling gender-based violence and human trafficking.
• One such non-profit organisation, Brave to Love, focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating those who have been trafficked.

The Department of Social Development’s Families Unit headed to Bosman, Pretoria, as part of the launch of Social Development Month, reaffirming its commitment to working with stakeholders to fight gender-based violence and human trafficking under the theme Qaphela!

The engagement brought together stakeholders committed to breaking the silence on gender-based violence and human trafficking, including Brave to Love, a non-profit organisation working against human trafficking.

Brave to Love was founded almost a decade ago by Emma van der Walt with the mission of reaching, rescuing, and rehabilitating victims and survivors of human trafficking. Based in Gauteng, Brave to Love is part of the National Freedom Network, which connects organisations across the country.

Brave to Love social worker Samala Creederman explained that the organisation works closely with the Department of Social Development, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation and the South African Police Service during investigations and rescue operations.

The organisation provides critical psychosocial support to survivors from the point of rescue, ensuring immediate trauma containment and counselling, Creederman said.

“Rescue is only the beginning of the recovery journey,” she said.

Survivors of trafficking often require long-term rehabilitation due to substance dependency, emotional manipulation and trauma bonding, which mirror many of the patterns seen in gender-based violence cases.

Creederman says Brave to Love works closely with social workers from the Department of Social Development, ensuring survivors are placed in appropriate facilities for comprehensive care and rehabilitation.

*A holistic approach*

Creederman also highlighted the importance of reintegration, noting that many survivors have been away for years and often need education support or skills training.

Brave to Love connects survivors with programmes such as barista training, vocational development and entrepreneurial mentorship.

Creederman added that for those who struggle to adapt in conventional work environments, the organisation assists with small business development and ongoing mentorship, helping survivors achieve independence and economic empowerment.

She emphasised that partnerships and collaboration are essential to addressing the complex nature of human trafficking and gender-based violence.

“No single organisation can address these challenges alone,” she said.

By working closely with the department and other civil society organisations, Brave to Love can provide a holistic support system that addresses the social, emotional, and economic needs of survivors.

Creederman also spoke about the preventative role of awareness campaigns. “Education and community engagement are key to breaking the cycle of trafficking and abuse.”

Initiatives such as Social Development Month provide a platform to inform communities about the signs of trafficking and gender-based violence, and encourage individuals to report incidents and seek support.
Cross-country networks allow for continued support to survivors who return to their provinces, ensuring that no one is left behind.

These collaborations ensure that survivors are not only rescued but also supported on their path to healing, empowerment, and reintegration into society.