Human trafficking and particularly child trafficking is a issue of considerable concern all over the world. As a modern-day slavery, fighting this practice has brought together governements, civil society organisations, researchers, etc to address the problem and find proper solutions. A number of international and regional conventions have been adopted; numerous pieces of legislation has also tried to tackle the plague at the national level. Yet, the phenomenon is continuing at dangerous proportions. Are the legal texts adequate or is it simply the lack of implementation or co-ordination measures on the ground? The assessment of the situation on the ground in South Africa and Benin will suggest new ways to counter child trafficking on the ground.