A disturbing surge in child trafficking has been revealed by Mr. Sheka, the Executive Director of the Anti Trafficking In Persons Task Force, shedding light on the harrowing experiences of forty-one children who fell victim to anti-trafficking activities in 2023.

In a press conference held in Freetown, Mr. Sheka presented grim statistics, stating, “Our records indicate that forty-one children were involved in anti-trafficking in 2023.” This revelation underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness, intervention, and collective efforts to combat the growing crisis of child trafficking.

The Executive Director emphasized the severity of the situation, pointing out that these children were subjected to various forms of exploitation and abuse. He highlighted the distressing fact that these incidents occurred both internally, with forty-four cases, and across borders in five reported trafficking incidents.

The gender dimension of the issue is particularly alarming, as administrative data clearly shows that children are disproportionately affected compared to adults. Mr. Sheka called on parents to actively join the fight against trafficking and protect their children from falling prey to these criminal activities.

Furthermore, Mr. Sheka disclosed that the Anti Trafficking In Persons Task Force had provided support to fifty-one individuals believed to be victims of human trafficking. Many of them, tragically, were initially brought to Freetown under the guise of pursuing education but found themselves engaged in exploitative activities such as stone mining or selling goods on the streets.

In response to this escalating crisis, the organization has launched the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund, aiming to mobilize public contributions to assist victims, particularly the children whose lives have been disrupted by these illicit practices.

The urgency of addressing this issue is paramount, with a call for immediate action from authorities, communities, and concerned citizens to protect the most vulnerable members of society from the devastating impacts of child trafficking.