Participants, who are encouraged to show up in black, will set off from the Loch Logan Waterfront towards the CBD at 09:00 on Saturday (19/10).

“With over 49.6 million people trapped in human trafficking worldwide, this urgent crisis affects men, women, and children across every continent, often hidden in plain sight,” said Bloemfontein host coordinator Cindy Postman.

Bloemfontein residents are stepping up to confront this issue directly, walking in solidarity to shine a light on the realities of human trafficking and equip their community to identify and report suspicious activity.

Bloemfontein residents registered for the walk, Photo supplied

The Walk for Freedom has for a decade rallied communities in the fight against human trafficking, reaching more than 350,000 participants through thousands of walks in more than 500 cities over the years.

“While sharing stats, raising awareness, and educating people, we received information in 2012 from a Bloemfontein lady who was addicted to drugs,” added Postman. 

“She was locked in her supplier’s house to pay off her debt through prostitution, and it was only after a number of years that she was set free from this life, is clean, and speaks out.”

She said 47.6% of the cases identified last year were victims who were lured through fake job advertisements.

University of The Free State students registering for the walk, Photo supplied

The walk also aims to inform residents of possible dangers, local hotline numbers, victim identification tips, reporting procedures, and key tools in the ongoing fight to combat this crime.

“Loch Logan will be giving free parking for the day of the walk, to everyone who comes to register at the Mall and both Braza and Ocean Basket are giving discounts on meals for the walk participants.”

OFM News/Casey-Lee Anthony dg