The intersection of corruption and gender-based violence: Examining the gendered experiences of sextortion during migration to South Africa

Abstract

Sextortion, a gendered form of corruption where sexual favours are the means of exchange, frequently occurs during migration. While the consequences of surviving sextortion are devastating, sextortion remains relatively understudied. Hence, this paper explores the experiences of sextortion of African migrants migrating to South Africa. Based on interviews with experts on migration, corruption, and gender in South Africa, this paper answers the research question: "What are the experiences of sextortion for African migrants migrating to South Africa and how are they gendered?". The results confirm irregular, female migrants are most vulnerable to experiencing sextortion both during their journeys and in South Africa. This is alarming as there are various psychical, mental, and sexual health consequences like trauma, STIs, pregnancies, and stigmatisation. These consequences have both short- and long-term consequences and will continue to exist without adjusted policy frameworks, improved support systems for survivors, and a broader discussion on gender norms.

Keywords: Sextortion; South Africa; corruption; migration; sexual violence; south-south migration.