ABSTRACT
Trafficking in persons is a crime and a human rights violation in South Africa. It is marked by extreme forms of violence and exploitation including marginalization and stigmatization. Trafficking is linked to slavery, and it is often deeply rooted in a country’s socio-economic conditions, extreme deprivation, and inequality. Trafficked persons often think they are pursuing better opportunities but end up exploited and silenced. This chapter applies a critical race feminist rights social work theory in understanding the multi-layered narratives of trafficked women in South Africa. Using examples from data collected from women victims and survivors of trafficking in South Africa, drawing from Black feminist ideas on anti-discriminatory theory and tapping into the Intersectionality and rights lens, recommendations are made for a decolonized social work practice and policy interventions that tackle structural issues and gives recognition to context, consciousness-raising and personal, valuing content.
