Marcel Van der Watt - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Marcel Van der Watt

Alternation: Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Arts and Humanities in Southern Africa, 2019

In the year following South Africa's first inclusive democratic national elections, Nelson Mandel... more In the year following South Africa's first inclusive democratic national elections, Nelson Mandela (1995) famously proclaimed that: 'There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.' As a new democracy, South Africa has had to grapple with high levels of interpersonal violence attributed to post-conflict societies. Harris (n.d.) suggests that '[w]hile the past still impacts on present forms of violence, new trends, targets and perpetrators have also emerged within South Africa's democratic-era (some in direct response to democratisation itself).' Unfortunately, children are often its silent victims. Despite expansive child protection laws, which seem to have had little impact on the prevalence of crimes committed against them and by them, children remain objects of exclusion. Hsiao et al. (2018) found that while children were disproportionately affected by high levels of violence, political and financial investment to address this remained low. Much violence against children remains unreported and unrecorded (Optimus Study 2016), due in part to the culture of silence that pervades our society. Using the recent spate of child abductions and missing children cases, which have caught popular attention and sparked moral outrage, we examine the issue of missing children in South Africa within the wider phenomenological framework of violence against children. Over the past 18 years, approximately 16 000 children have been reported missing. 25 percent of these children have never been found. This does not include the number of cases that are not reported to authorities. While statistics only provide a snapshot of the problem, we interrogate the cases of the 'missing' missing using data from our own research, Missing Children South Africa and the South African Police Service. Using an interpretive approach, we reflect on our lived experiences working in a network of state Monique Emser & Marcel van der Watt 90 and civil society stakeholders engaging with such cases. We conclude that missing children cases are intricately intertwined with the layers of violence that have become embedded in South African society in the democratic era. We offer a series of policy recommendations to address this complex issue.

Journal of Human Trafficking, 2024

Consumer-level demand reduction is positioned as the primary prevention of sex trafficking, and r... more Consumer-level demand reduction is positioned as the primary prevention of sex trafficking, and researchers and practitioners are implored to expand the focus on consumer-level demand in scholarship and practice. Evidence of consumer-level demand is an ever-present piece of the physical, psychological, and sexual violence that stems from the overlapping systems of prostitution and sex trafficking. While multilateral legal obligations and political commitments geared toward discouraging the demand that fosters sex trafficking exist, actions that hold sex buyers accountable have been slow-moving. Research, too, frequently ignores the glaring role of sex buyers in ringfencing sex trafficking crimes, shrouding traffickers, and obscuring victims. This commentary is informed by the author’s interspersing law enforcement and operational fieldwork dating back to 2002 and a recent study sponsored by the National Institute of Justice and completed by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation’s Research Institute.

To combat prostitution and sex trafficking, criminal justice strategies and collaborative program... more To combat prostitution and sex trafficking, criminal justice strategies and collaborative programs have emerged that focus on divesting these illicit markets of their sole revenue source: consumer-level demand. From 2008 to 2012, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) sponsored a study entitled “National Assessment of Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Efforts,” that featured the systematic collection of information to determine the types and distribution of demand reduction tactics implemented throughout the United States. These efforts gave rise to a typology of law enforcement and community-based tactics identifying 12 different methods for deterring people (mostly men) from buying sex or which sanction those individuals who solicit sex acts. The essential product of that study was the Demand Forum website, launched in January 2013. While Demand Forum continued to be a useful tool, much has changed since its launch in 2013 (and conception years before). The most significant development has been the advent of new tactics using information technology (IT) to deter buyers and develop evidence to apprehend those actively seeking to purchase sex. The current study builds upon the methodology and knowledge base of the first National Assessment with the objective of keeping the field informed of innovations and evolving responses to buyer behaviors and to continue to provide support for practice and policy. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), which now maintains Demand Forum, proposed a systematic assessment of current demand reduction tactics and an expanded tactic typology to reflect recent innovations intended to reduce the demand that drives sex trafficking markets. The project also aimed to provide updated information and resources that could be used by practitioners.

The national Trafficking in Person (TIP) study, Research into the Nature and Scope of Trafficking... more The national Trafficking in Person (TIP) study, Research into the Nature and Scope of Trafficking in Persons in South Africa: Research Report, was conducted between 2020 and early 2022 to provide evidence on the nature and magnitude of TIP in South Africa to policy makers in the Government of South Africa (GOSA) and to development partners, implementing partners and service providers. The study employed a multi-sectoral, mixed-method approach to ascertain primary and secondary data from across the spectrum of sectors involved in combatting trafficking. The Landscape Review guided the empirical study on the gaps in TIP policy, practice and research in South Africa. The resulting research produced several stand-alone studies, that form part of this larger research compendium.

Societies, 2023

Multiprofessional, interorganizational, and cross-sector collaboration is widely recognized as es... more Multiprofessional, interorganizational, and cross-sector collaboration is widely recognized as essential to counter human trafficking. Considerable effort is invested in collaborating against human trafficking, both between and within countries. Recent and long-standing illustrative examples of such efforts include the initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to foster public–private partnerships, the “enhanced collaborative model” multidisciplinary task forces funded by the United States (US) Department of Justice, and technologies such as the Online Community Platform recently launched by the National Freedom Network in South Africa that allows for information to be shared more easily and facilitates access to resources and opportunities for organic collaboration between organizations on the African continent. To be sustainable, such collaborative efforts must result in positive outcomes for the collaborating partners and demonstrable progress against human trafficking. However, the processes of organizing and leading robust collaborations are complex and challenging—and understudied.

Societies, 2023

Augmented intelligence-as the fusion of human and artificial intelligence-is effectively being em... more Augmented intelligence-as the fusion of human and artificial intelligence-is effectively being employed in response to a spectrum of risks and crimes that stem from the online sexual exploitation marketplace. As part of a study that was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has documented 15 tactics that have been used in more than 2650 US cities and counties to deter sex buyers from engaging with prostitution and sex trafficking systems. One of these tactics, technology-based enforcement and deterrence methods, has been used in more than 78 locations in the United States. This paper explores the issue of technology-facilitated trafficking in the online sexual exploitation marketplace and juxtaposes this with the use of augmented intelligence in collaborative responses to these crimes. Illustrative case studies are presented that describe how two organizations employ technology that utilizes the complementary strengths of humans and machines to deter sex buyers at the point of purchase. The human(e) touch of these organizations, combined with artificial intelligence, natural language processing, constructed websites, photos, and mobile technology, show significant potential for operational scaling, and provide a template for consideration by law enforcement agencies, criminal justice systems, and the larger multidisciplinary counter-trafficking community for collaborative replication in other settings.

The overarching aim of this report was to explore available data and/or lived experiences related... more The overarching aim of this report was to explore available data and/or lived experiences related to incidents of TIP in South Africa that overlapped, connected with, and/or were reported to any aspect of South Africa’s Criminal Justice System. Given the lack of a centralized database on South African TIP data, this mosaic of evidence was deemed necessary for relevant insights into the nature and prevalence of TIP in South Africa. The report begins by exploring the prevailing 'evidence' dissonance regarding TIP in South Africa, particularly as it relates to persistent claims of 'little evidence' and the framing of child trafficking and sex trafficking as 'myth' in some research. The framework of the Palermo Trafficking Protocol and the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (PACOTIP) Act 7 of 2013 was employed as the yardstick to understand the basis of this skepticism towards South Africa's TIP phenomenon, and the arguments to support these claims are questioned. This analysis is then positioned as the background to this study and juxtaposed with evidence collected in this research. On the one end of the spectrum, this includes actual cases or information containing reasonable grounds to infer that a TIP crime or threat exists, and that was reported by civil society organizations to either the South African Police Service (SAPS) or formalized TIP Task Teams (Provincial or National) for further investigations. On the other end, the data includes ongoing and successfully prosecuted TIP cases in South African courts. A cursory, yet insightful analysis of TIP reporting in the media is also explored. The data collected was considered essential as it underwent a continuum of review iterations by a range of actors to establish whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that a case of TIP was perpetrated or not. An established TIP legal framework was used to reach these conclusions. Finally, the data and perspectives originated from sources that are operationally involved in the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of cases, frontline responses to calls for service, and victim-centric interventions and support services. They were therefore able to provide a first-hand account and an informed interpretation of the data.

One of six policy and evidence briefs stemming from a multi-study 2-year national research projec... more One of six policy and evidence briefs stemming from a multi-study 2-year national research project into Trafficking in Persons in South Africa. Policy Brief 2 is a concise 2-pager from a technical report (Criminal Justice & Relevant Reporting Mechanisms) that forms part of the larger study. The Research on the Nature and Scope of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in South Africa was conducted by Khulisa Management Services and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It was produced for the LASER PULSE project, managed by Purdue University. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

To my Heavenly Father, I honour you for the ability that you have graced me with to complete this... more To my Heavenly Father, I honour you for the ability that you have graced me with to complete this study. Not only did you save my life in March 2001, but you allowed me to engage with bitter pain and darkness, fully equipped to be your ambassador in the fight for justice. You are profoundly real. I am eternally grateful to my promotor, Prof. Rika Snyman. Words cannot express my deep appreciation for your continued support, encouragement and belief in my vision for this study. Your highest level of integrity and professionalism are saluted. I would like to thank Mrs Susan van Tonder for proofreading and editing this thesis. Your work ethic, attention to detail and exceptional contribution to the quality of this thesis have been invaluable. To the late Professor Moses Montesh, who nominated me for the AQIP programme, and to UNISA's College of Law, words cannot describe my gratitude to you. To the National Freedom Network, your contribution to South Africa's efforts to combat this crime is unmissable. Diane, Marina, Kirsten and Beatri-I salute you! To all the participants who so generously contributed to this research, your lived experiences will significantly contribute to the eventual unveiling of this hidden monster, human trafficking, in South Africa. To Amanda, my dear friend and complex systems intellectual, thank you for recalibrating my perspective and journeying with me. To my parents, family, friends and colleagues, thank you for your continued encouragement and prayers. Thank you to Mia and Milo, my furry children. You provided much-needed companionship, calmness and humour when I needed these the most. Finally, and with deep love and appreciation, to my beautiful wife and best friend, Karolien, thank you. This would not have been possible without your belief in me, your persistent encouragement and your understanding during days marred by long hours of work. Thank you for your 15 years of unflinching camaraderie. I love you.

Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 2014

The use of case docket analysis as a crime information product is often documented as significant... more The use of case docket analysis as a crime information product is often documented as significant to many criminal fact-finding activities. Despite the often theoretical reference to case docket analysis in literature, such as research papers and crime reports, the understanding and real-life experiences of criminal investigators, crime analysts and crime researchers regarding the practicability of this product remain silent. Insight into the dynamics of case docket analysis could inform these role-players of the value of case docket analysis as an effective crime information product. This article explores and describes criminal investigators', crime analysts' and crime researchers' first-hand understanding and operational experiences about the 'what', 'why' and 'how' of case docket analysis to assist in uncovering the hidden transcripts in crime data and translating such data into usable empirical evidence. The data was generated from a sample of...

Palgrave International Handbook on Human Trafficking, 2019

Human trafficking as a complex phenomenon leaves no country unscathed as perpetrators continue to... more Human trafficking as a complex phenomenon leaves no country unscathed as perpetrators continue to conjure up new schemes to subvert and circumvent efforts by the international counter-trafficking community. The challenges associated with effectively responding to the crime, whether through research or prevention, or taking a case from a crime scene to court involve multiple and interpenetrating social systems and human actors with different perspectives, skill sets, mandates, and objectives. Their interactions are numerous, interdependent, and causally indeterminate which give rise to environments characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). This chapter will make a case for complex systems thinking, as a conceptual framework, to be interwoven in counter-trafficking activities by policymakers, researchers, activists, prosecutors, and police investigators (to name but a few) who are effectively engaged in a battle of wits against the human trafficking system that perpetrates the crime. The author’s policing and investigative exposure to and work in the field of counter-human trafficking over the past 16 years, and his use of complex systems theory in a Ph.D. study, serves as the basis for this chapter. The chapter will contend that complex systems theory, and by extension complex systems thinking, has immense potential to alter our thinking about micro-level strategies and can explain how foundational interactions and interconnectedness give rise to emergent properties on a macro-level, which are not predictable from the parts alone. It is recommended that reductionist responses and “fixes that fail” are set aside in favor of a whole approach to human trafficking combating efforts that are better equipped to embrace complexity.

This article explores the intricacies of modus operandi, signature and fantasy as distinctive beh... more This article explores the intricacies of modus operandi, signature and fantasy as distinctive behaviour in stranger rape cases involving child victims that were reported in Port Elizabeth, which were analysed by means of a rape matrix. The authors identified distinctive behaviour of offenders in two possible rape series' involving child victims. Consequently, the authors probe whether a more comprehensive investigation, which reflects an understanding of modus operandi, signature and fantasy behaviour, could have determined if both rape series were perpetrated by the same offender. The article, furthermore, explores examples of reported cases to illustrate how modus operandi, signature or fantasy can manifest amongst offenders, and, should this behaviour recur in a subsequent case, could be indicative of the same offender committing the crime. The findings suggest that the presence of these distinct behaviours in conjunction with aspects such as the geographic location and time ...

The use of case docket analysis as a crime information product is often documented as significant... more The use of case docket analysis as a crime information product is often documented as significant to many criminal fact-finding activities. Despite the often theoretical reference to case docket analysis in literature, such as research papers and crime reports, the understanding and real-life experiences of criminal investigators, crime analysts and crime researchers regarding the practicability of this product remain silent. Insight into the dynamics of case docket analysis could inform these role-players of the value of case docket analysis as an effective crime information product. This article explores and describes criminal investigators’, crime analysts’ and crime researchers’ first-hand understanding and operational experiences about the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of case docket analysis to assist in uncovering the hidden transcripts in crime data and translating such data into usable empirical evidence. The data was generated from a sample of Family Violence, Child Protection a...

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Ow... more In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as 'undetected'. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity.

A best kept secret of human traffickers is how they control and silence their victims. An effecti... more A best kept secret of human traffickers is how they control and silence their victims. An effective counter-trafficking response is often obstructed by traffickers implementing various control methods or a blend thereof depending on what is most effective in the specific circumstances. Although the literature revealed numerous mechanisms to control victims, a more in-depth understanding of known methods and especially of emerging unidentified and clandestine methods is needed to combat human trafficking. One of these arcane control methods is "juju" rituals, predominantly used by Nigerian traffickers, to subjugate victims for sexual exploitation in various parts of the world. Exposing control M. van der Watt (*)

Child Abuse Research: A South African Journal, 2020

Few social phenomena in contemporary South Africa have been subject to so much speculation and ra... more Few social phenomena in contemporary South Africa have been subject to so much speculation and raised so many unanswered questions as the country's child trafficking 'problem'. The exact scope of child trafficking in South Africa will remain elusive, whilst fearmongering is unlikely to leave our dining room tables and social media spaces. The concept of child trafficking itself is a greasy and contested one, open to misuse, sensation and even discounting. With due consideration to the absence of an unambiguous statistical knowledge base, this article considers sceptics' assertion of only anecdotal or "little evidence" to substantiate the problem and assesses what insights can be gleaned from available sources. The article focuses on child trafficking and children in the sex trade. A complex and nuanced perspective replaces number counting and simplicity, with the author's proximity to the study phenomena over the past 18 years serving to string the disconnected 'pieces' together. South Africa's Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013 is discussed as the yardstick for determining what is trafficking and what is not, followed by an overview of available literature and media reports. Available police data is presented and selected successfully prosecuted cases briefly discussed. Findings indicate that some researchers' use of truncated definitions of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) undercounts the prevalence of TIP among research participants and that claims by TIP sceptics of "little evidence to substantiate" the prevalence of child trafficking and children in South Africa's sex trade are misleading. The complex nature and malleability of child trafficking and children in the sex trade are underscored and factors contributing to constraining the measurement of the problem discussed. Woven together, literature, research, media reports, academic studies, police investigations (closed and ongoing) and prosecutions (successful and unsuccessful) over the past three decades-contextualised within South Africa's complex socio-cultural vulnerability landscape-indicate that child trafficking and children in South Africa's sex trade cannot be ignored as a systemic South African problem.

Alternation, 2019

An existing hiatus in empirical research related to the use of ‘juju’ rituals as a spiritual or p... more An existing hiatus in empirical research related to the use of ‘juju’ rituals as a spiritual or psychological control mechanism by perpetrators to subjugate victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation has underscored the need for this exploratory study. The phenomenon is shrouded in secrecy and little is known about what juju entails and how it is used to subdue victims. The aim of this article is to explore juju as a phenomenon, whilst illuminating some of the multi-layered complexities associated with its use as a control mechanism. The available literature and in-depth interviews with local and international actors in the field contributed to the unveiling of this phenomenon in the South African and broader counter-trafficking context. The research confirmed that juju is in fact a reality that numerous victims of Nigerian traffickers have to contend with. The article clarifies how traffickers use juju rituals as an
effective control mechanism and catalyst to instil profound fear amongst victims, whilst compounding efforts by response agencies and criminal justice practitioners to combat human trafficking. Finally, suggestions for a more informed counter-trafficking response and
recommendations for future research are offered which include the need for a variety of perspectives to be incorporated in the quest for a better understanding of juju and the human trafficking nexus.

The multidimensional complexities associated with the criminal justice response to human traffic... more The multidimensional complexities associated with the criminal justice
response to human trafficking are well documented. The transient and subversive nature of human trafficking as organised crime and the large number of multidisciplinary role-players involved in coordinating cross jurisdictional efforts to prevent, investigate and prosecute such cases,
contribute to this complex undertaking. Complex systems theory suggests that a complex social problem such as human trafficking cannot be approached by using a linear or simplified lens, and requires a holistic perspective on the complex interactions between actors, and emergent behaviour in both the criminal justice system and the human trafficking system that it seeks to combat. This paper explores the characteristics of complexity, and uses illustrations from the lived
experiences of actors in South Africa’s efforts to combat human trafficking, in order to demonstrate how complex systems theory could be considered and integrated into the criminal justice response to human trafficking.

Alternation: Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Arts and Humanities in Southern Africa, 2019

Journal of Human Trafficking, 2024

Societies, 2023

Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology, 2014

Palgrave International Handbook on Human Trafficking, 2019

The use of case docket analysis as a crime information product is often documented as significant... more The use of case docket analysis as a crime information product is often documented as significant to many criminal fact-finding activities. Despite the often theoretical reference to case docket analysis in literature, such as research papers and crime reports, the understanding and real-life experiences of criminal investigators, crime analysts and crime researchers regarding the practicability of this product remain silent. Insight into the dynamics of case docket analysis could inform these role-players of the value of case docket analysis as an effective crime information product. This article explores and describes criminal investigators’, crime analysts’ and crime researchers’ first-hand understanding and operational experiences about the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ of case docket analysis to assist in uncovering the hidden transcripts in crime data and translating such data into usable empirical evidence. The data was generated from a sample of Family Violence, Child Protection a...

Child Abuse Research: A South African Journal, 2020

Alternation, 2019

As forensic thriller ‘The Symbol of No Escape’ is an emergent property of qualities that not too ... more As forensic thriller ‘The Symbol of No Escape’ is an emergent property of qualities that not too many authors are able to harness. These include Dr Tanya Robinson’s practical experience and extensive work with the abused child, her knowledge in forensic psychopathology and her laudable scholarly credentials that underpins each page with legitimacy...

Policing in Africa: Towards an African Epistemology, 2023

Human trafficking is a complex and hidden crime which obviates simple solutions and calls for ver... more Human trafficking is a complex and hidden crime which obviates simple solutions and calls for versatile thinking by practitioners and policymakers. The mercurial nature of trafficking makes it not only difficult to gather reliable data to document local, regional and global prevalence, but also to identify victims and stay abreast of new methods of deception, coercion and exploitation employed by traffickers. The reality and heinous nature of this phenomenon has been equated to an evil as terrible as the Atlantic slave trade of the past, where some 25 million people were forced into chattel slavery. The gendered nature of trafficking in Africa is an important focal point that this chapter seeks to conceptualise and address within the context of the global discourse on trafficking in persons and effective anti-trafficking measures.

This chapter looks into the preliminary investigation phase which originates when a crime or inci... more This chapter looks into the preliminary investigation phase which originates when a crime or incident is reported and continues until the scene of incident is processed and cleared. The preliminary investigation serves as the foundation of the case. It should therefore be accurate or may jeopardize the entire investigation. Although no hard and fast rules can be laid down for how each scene of incident should be approached and processed, the fundamental principles remain the same and should be adhered to at all times. The chapter relies on the tried and tested principles of forensic investigation by providing a guide for the approach to and processing of a scene of incident. It furthermore appreciates the complexities faced by investigators attending to a scene of incident and will introduce forensic investigation as a tool, which by its systemic and scientific nature, can assist the investigator in understanding the procedures that should be followed at a scene of incident. It is beyond the scope of this chapter to discuss specific methods for specific crimes or incidents, but rather to provide a generic overview of the preliminary investigation phase.

Human trafficking for sexual exploitation, as the most documented type of trafficking both intern... more Human trafficking for sexual exploitation, as the most documented type of trafficking both internationally and in South Africa, was the focus of this study as it poses significant challenges to response efforts whilst remaining a crime of vast impunity. At the centre of this study was the researcher’s curiosity-infused endeavour to understand the lived experiences of multipronged stakeholders who have first-hand experience of the investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation. A qualitative approach and the use of hermeneutic phenomenology within a broader postmodernist and constructivist positioning served as the catalyst for generating novel insights. Numerous formal and informal conversations over the 5-year research period, site visits to multiple sex trade locations around South Africa and 91 in-depth and unstructured interviews with participants from 15 different vantage points were conducted.

Five themes were identified from participants’ lived experiences as they related to the investigation of human trafficking for sexual exploitation. These were Theme 1: Sex Trade, Human Trafficking and Organised Crime; Theme 2: Combating Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation; Theme 3: Victims of Human Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation; Theme 4: Corruption and Compromise; and Theme 5: The Social Context and Scope of the Problem. A rich and in-depth presentation of participants’ lived experiences from an emic point of view was made. Knowledge generated include the revelation of problematic claims by preservationists around the nature of the sex trade in South Africa, insights into complexities intrinsic to human trafficking for sexual exploitation and multilayered challenges associated with investigations into the crime.

At the apex of the study was the deconstruction of complex systems theory and its application to the phenomenological essence of participants’ lived experiences. A proposed application of the theory was suggested for a more agile, robust and effective multipronged investigation strategy to combat human trafficking for sexual exploitation. A strong argument is made for a ‘whole’ and non-reductionist approach to investigations that continuously considers both the complexity of the crime and the day-to-day realities of the stakeholders who contribute to the multipronged investigation into human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Ow... more In this research docket analysis is evaluated as an investigative tool in stranger rape cases. Owing to the fact that serial rapists mostly reside within the category of stranger rape cases, the researcher attempted to test the value of docket analysis in the identification of patterns and similarities among such cases which could be indicative of serial rape activity. A rape matrix was used as a docket analysis tool to analyse the content of 184 stranger rape cases which was closed as ‘undetected’. In addition to investigative shortcomings in the case dockets, the researcher identified 15 stranger rape cases which presented six unique patterns among them. These identified patterns could be indicative of serial rape activity.

Mail & Guardian, 2019

Sign up to our daily newsletter featuring a curated selection of top articles and delivered to yo... more Sign up to our daily newsletter featuring a curated selection of top articles and delivered to your inbox from Monday to Friday.

Daily Maverick, 2020

 Many people submit to exploitation because they really believe they have no reasonable alternat... more  Many people submit to exploitation because they really believe they have no reasonable alternative but to submit. (Photo: Adobe Stock)  Less Human trafficking has been in existence from time immemorial, and South Africa presents the ideal climate for the crime to continue flourishing. Right now, dismissing and downplaying issues related to both adult and child trafficking are matters of great consequence.

ISS Today, 2018

A brief analysis of the human trafficking situation and response in South Africa. Aggregated stat... more A brief analysis of the human trafficking situation and response in South Africa. Aggregated statistics on both trafficking in persons and missing persons must be released annually, and research should be undertaken to establish how these phenomena, and other crimes, interconnect. Trafficking in persons is by no means a recent phenomenon. It is rooted in South Africa’s historical landscape and is fundamentally enabled by the country’s deep structural inequalities. A systemic response and culture shift is needed – one that radically restrains the demand for cheap labour and sex, and severs any hint of corruption and compromise.

The Conversation, 2015

https://theconversation.com/human-trafficking-in-south-africa-an-elusive-statistical-nightmare-43949

Pretoria News, Dec 14, 2014

A call for even-handed wisdom in the discourse surrounding decriminalized prostitution in South A... more A call for even-handed wisdom in the discourse surrounding decriminalized prostitution in South Africa

JuST Conference, Shared Hope International, 2023

A range of legal obligations and political commitments geared towards discouraging the demand tha... more A range of legal obligations and political commitments geared towards discouraging the demand that fosters child sex trafficking are in existence and mandate action from the United States. Demand reduction is primary prevention and essential to every dimension of policy and practice that impact sex trafficking. As part of a study that was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation has documented 15 tactics that have been used in more than 2,622 U.S. cities and counties to deter sex buyers from engaging with prostitution and sex trafficking systems. Findings and lessons learned from this research is discussed, and recommendations for policy, practice, and the harmonization of relevant laws are offered.

To combat prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, criminal jus... more To combat prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, criminal justice strategies and collaborative programs have emerged that focus on depriving these illicit markets of their sole revenue source: consumer-level demand. The presentation provided an overview of technology-based deterrence tactics. Presented on November 17, 2022, during the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology (Atlanta, GA).

To combat prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, criminal jus... more To combat prostitution and human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, criminal justice strategies and collaborative programs have emerged that focus on depriving these illicit markets of their sole revenue source: consumer-level demand. The presentation provided an overview of these tactics in the United States. Presented on November 16, 2022, during the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology (Atlanta, GA).

'Indlulamithi South Africa Scenarios 2030' Research Conference, 1-2 March 2018, GIBS Business Sch... more 'Indlulamithi South Africa Scenarios 2030' Research Conference, 1-2 March 2018, GIBS Business School, Illovo, South Africa. Expert report submitted on the Nature and Future of Human Trafficking in South Africa.

Submission to the Parliamentary Multiparty Women's Caucus on the South African Law Reform Commiss... more Submission to the Parliamentary Multiparty Women's Caucus on the South African Law Reform Commission's report on Adult Prostitution (Project 107), 5 March 2018, Parliament, Cape Town.