WATCH: Don’t let your child fall victim to human trafficking

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Following a recent attempted child abduction in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town, human trafficking experts have issued parents with advice and pointers on how to keep their children safe.

In what police have termed a ‘first for officials’, a man smashed a car window and grabbed the three-year-old girl’s leg in an attempt to snatch her from her father’s arms, while he was holding her in the back seat.

The incident occurred during a traffic jam on the N1 just outside Cape Town.

While the area is reportedly notorious for smash-and-grabs, this was the first known attempt at child abduction using the smash-and-grab method.

Further to this, a man allegedly attempted to abduct a child from a Johannesburg Spur restaurant in November.

These incidents have caused human trafficking experts to urge parents to be extra cautious when it comes to the safety of their children.

Protective Behaviours SA is a nationwide campaign aimed at helping parents keep their children safe.

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The organisation runs workshops for parents who wish to find out more about child safety.

Their top tips to prevent child abduction include:

• Trust your gut – if a situation feels wrong, it probably is, so remove your child from it

• Encourage your children to tell you when something is wrong and avoid allowing them to be in situations in which they will be isolated

• Children should not go anywhere with anybody without the permission of parents

• Families must create a family password which is to be used when any family member is in danger

To report human trafficking incidents or concerns, the toll free number is 0800 222 777.

Source: Compare Guru