Best Practices in Rendering Services to Women Survivors of Human Trafficking: A South African Perspective

Sipho Sibanda () and Juliet Sambo
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Sipho Sibanda: Department of Social Work and Social Policy, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Juliet Sambo: Department of Social Work and Criminology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, ZA 0028, South Africa

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-19

Abstract: South Africa is facing serious challenges in addressing the needs of women survivors of human trafficking. Trafficked women often experience health issues, physical, sexual, psychological, economic, and social abuse. Women trafficking is a multidisciplinary problem that needs the involvement of a wide range of actors to intervene and render holistic services. Based on a qualitative study conducted at five residential facilities for women in South Africa, this article highlights best practices in rendering services to women survivors of human trafficking. Data was collected from social service providers using one-on-one interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the best practices for rendering effective services to women survivors of human trafficking include rendering services that have an emphasis on emotional containment, prevalence of basic counselling, active referral for medical and other services, and ensuring accurate assessment of the needs and concerns of women survivors of human trafficking. Furthermore, the best practices include establishing a one-stop, all-inclusive service centre; engaging women in skills development and empowerment activities; and ensuring collaboration between all stakeholders involved in rendering services to women survivors of human trafficking. The conclusion is that best practices in rendering effective services to women survivors of human trafficking require an interplay of systems and the presence of sufficient institutional and infrastructural arrangements.

Keywords: best practices; ecological systems theory; human trafficking; rights-based approach; social workers; women survivors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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