After millennia, formal slavery in most jurisdictions worldwide eventually came
to an end by the middle of the nineteenth century. Yet, all kinds of trapped forms of
labour took its place, among others sexual slavery—one of the most serious organised
crimes of our time and historically one of the oldest human practices of gender
inequality and exploitation. This chapter starts with broad, introductory remarks
on the possible causes of sexual slavery and exploitation as well as what we as a
society can do to collectively address this pressing issue. It then looks in more detail
at the extent of this problem in South Africa. The chapter then moves on to consider
antihuman trafficking legislation in South Africa and what it entails; a distinction
is made between sexual slavery and sex work; and the reasons, effects and value of
decriminalising sex work are referred to. A short account is given of the mythologised
life of Sara Baartman, one of the most famous, but also least known, South
African woman of her day and what we can learn from her about gender inequality,
sexual slavery and exploitation.