10 October 2014

LexisNexis SA cycle challenge raises R130k for anti-trafficking efforts

Submitted by: Jozi
LexisNexis SA cycle challenge raises R130k for anti-trafficking efforts

LexisNexis SA cycle challenge raises R130k for anti-trafficking efforts

[DURBAN, 10 October 2014] – Three anti-trafficking organisations received a total of R130 000 to assist with their daily needs following the inaugural LexisNexis South Africa Cycle Against Trafficking Challenge, held over three days from 29 September to 1 October 2014. The event saw 11 volunteer cyclists, including senior employees and corporate partners, ride more than 200 kilometres from the Drakensberg to Durban to raise funds for Mercy House in Johannesburg, Open Door Crisis Centre in Durban and Molo Songololo in Cape Town.  

All three NGOs work to combat the scourge of human trafficking, which is a growing reality in South Africa. LexisNexis South Africa publishes its Human Trafficking Awareness Index which shows the prevalence of trafficking forms such as forced labour, sex trafficking and child commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC).  

Concluding the Cycle Against Trafficking Challenge in Durban, LexisNexis SA CEO Billy Last said: “This was our way of raising awareness of the heinous crime called human trafficking, and a fitting way of acknowledging the International Organization for Migration’s Human Trafficking Awareness Week from 3 to 10 October.

"The race finish date also coincided with our annual LN Cares Day, on which our employees volunteer their time and assistance at various anti-trafficking organisations across the country.”  

LexisNexis South Africa’s involvement in the field is anchored by a global commitment to helping to uphold the rule of law.  In 2012 the company also released South Africa’s first ever Anti-Human Trafficking Legislation Compendium.

For more on the fight against trafficking visit http://www.lexisnexis.co.za/ruleoflaw/  

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About the Beneficiaries

Mercy House provides transitional housing for female victims of domestic violence and their children. See www.mercy-house.co.za  

The Open Door Crisis Care Centre based in Pinetown, Kwazulu-Natal, is a well-established counselling, training and advisory centre housing an HIV/AIDS clinic, play therapy room for traumatised children, training room, office space and 10 counselling rooms. See www.opendoor.org.za  

Molo Songololo has been working to promote the rights and protection of all children for more than 30 years and in 2000 released a pioneering report that put the spotlight on trafficking in children in South Africa for the purposes of sexual exploitation. See www.molosongololo.com

Issued By:

Neliswa Hlombe
Corporate Communications & PR Manager
LexisNexis South Africa
Tel. +27 (0)31 268 3284
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About LexisNexis® Legal & Professional

LexisNexis® Legal & Professional (www.lexisnexis.com) is a leading global provider of content and technology solutions that enable professionals in legal, corporate, tax, government, academic and non-profit organizations to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes. As a digital pioneer, the company was the first to bring legal and business information online with its Lexis® and Nexis® services. Today, LexisNexis Legal & Professional harnesses leading-edge technology and world-class content, to help professionals work in faster, easier and more effective ways. Through close collaboration with its customers, the company ensures organizations can leverage its solutions to reduce risk, improve productivity, increase profitability and grow their business. Part of Reed Elsevier, LexisNexis Legal & Professional serves customers in more than 175 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide. 

In July 2012, investment firm Tsiya Group, chaired by Fani Titi, acquired a minority interest in LexisNexis® South Africa. Tsiya is a privately owned investment group that was established in 2008 and focuses on acquiring interests in unlisted businesses. The company has a particular interest in the media and information industry and is currently invested in two radio stations, namely Heart FM (which broadcasts in the Western Cape) and Gagasi FM (which broadcasts in KwaZulu Natal).