Close to 1000 students of ES Runaba, in Burera District, have been urged to be vigilant against people masquerading as well wishers as means to traffic especially young people into hard and sexual activities and other exploitative acts abroad.
Speaking to the atudents, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Phelin Nshimiyumukiza, the Burera District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) explained to the students the tricks traffickers use to lure their victims into this modern-day slavery and adverse ordeals involved.
He noted that although victims are sometimes taken by use of force, threat or abduction, which methods are yet to be reported in Rwanda, majority are deceived or manipulated due to their vulnerability.
“Some traffickers try to be so good or befriend you and try by all means to manipulate you not to reveal any information to anyone on the given deal. Always inform people or Police on such offers such that this act is prevented and those involved arrested.”
He added that a significant feature of human trafficking is the promise of jobs, opportunities for school and a better life, usually in a foreign country.
“Traffickers want their victim for forced sexual exploitation, and forced labour.”
“Rwanda National Police is actively involved in this awareness so that no one falls victim, and it should as well be your responsibility,” said AIP Nshimiyumukiza.
Global statistics indicate that human trafficking is the most under reported crime in the world.
Rwanda National Police is currently actively involved in the awareness programmes in schools and in communities to raise everyone’s understanding on the threat as one of the preventive measures.
AIP Nshimiyumukiza told the students that traffickers also use social media platform to search for those to traffic, with girls being the majority targeted.
“The most effective strategy against human trafficking is to know about it,” he said.
The Headmaster of ES Runaba Erneste Nsengimana noted that the forum was quite useful as students were equipped with knowledge against human trafficking.
He said that the information given to them is necessary and will help them to make informed decisions.
“We are thankful to the police for its continued efforts to raise responsible and safe citizens,” said the Headmaster.
One of the students, Fabiola Irakoze said; “we didn’t know that any of us can be a target of human trafficking; we didn’t know the brutality involved in human trafficking that’s why we are thankful to the police for enlightening on what human trafficking is and how it’s conducted.
Leave a Reply