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Prof Susan Kreston fields questions at the Molo Songololo discussion at Centre for the Book
Issues of Child Prostitution and the 2010 World Cup
October 23, 2009
Susan Kreston speaks at Molo Songololo roundtable
Former US Fulbright Professor Susan Kreston was the featured speaker at a major roundtable discussion on child prostitution and the 2010 World Cup, hosted by Molo Songololo, the Cape Town based child rights organization, at Centre for the Book in Cape Town on Friday October 23, 2009. Professor Kreston’s deep knowledge and experience in South Africa on issues of child sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking, informed her presentation “Defining and Understanding Child Sexual Exploitation in the Context of 2010 FWC and Beyond.”
Kreston’s presentation aimed to assist stakeholders gathered at the discussion in understanding the risks leading up to, and during, such a major world event, and what protections are afforded under the new Sexual Offences Act, as well as in the draft bill on human trafficking. Many participants were especially concerned by the fact that schools will be closed for 5 weeks during the World Cup, thus increasing the vulnerability of children during this time period.
A panel discussion followed, with various organizations and government departments outlining their roles and challenges in assisting vulnerable children and helping to prevent child sexual abuse. The event received major national news coverage.
Professor Kreston’s participation at the Molo workshop wraps up a month-long tour of South Africa, during which she addressed a wide variety of groups and organizations in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, East London, and Cape Town.
