|
Kids saved from prostitution
26/01/2005 08:51 - (SA)
Alicestine October , Beeld
Johannesburg - Sixty children have been rescued from a life of prostitution by a special police task team.
The team, which launched an investigation into an alleged child prostitution syndicate last year, have also arrested at least 116 people.
Superintendent Andre Neethling, provincial co-ordinator of the police child protection unit, said most of the arrested people were illegal immigrants.
He said 90% of the arrests were made in Gauteng. Suspects were also arrested in KwaZulu-Natal and Free State.
Neethling said the rescued children were being cared for in safe, private rehabilitation centres. "We handle each child individually and try to meet their immediate needs," Neethling said.
Child prostitution is often linked to drug abuse. Neethling said the children were made dependant on drugs before they were sexually exploited. "They live for the next fix."
He said the syndicate mainly targeted girls younger than 17 years of age.
"Legislation dealing with the sexual exploitation of children is limited," he said.
"New legislation, that will regulate the trafficking in and protection of children, is being finalised. It will improve our position from a legal point of view."
|
News
