Over the years, the crime of human trafficking has taken a disastrous route, especially with traffickers adopting diverse ways to capitalise on the desperation and vulnerabilities of women and children at high risk of exploitation. The privacy provided by social media platforms has not only helped traffickers target women and children in anonymity, but it has also provided a medium to generate child sexual abuse and exploitative material.
In India, trafficking of women and girls for forced marriage is also a growing phenomenon. Young girls from vulnerable areas looking for better opportunities are being lured with the false promises of employment and a good quality of life, and sold for the purpose of forced marriage. In many instances, traffickers also deceive, coerce or even lure families coming from weak economic backgrounds, with money and promises to marry off their children, the majority of which results in trafficking. The practice forces minor girls into the chain of abuse, leading to physical and emotional trauma, abuse, limited education and economic dependence. The majority of these cases lead to a teenage pregnancy that has a long-lasting impact on their health and well-being.
Recently, the Supreme Court of India in ‘Pinki v. State of Uttar Pradesh & Anr.’ Understanding the gravity of the offence has acknowledged that the changing trafficking patterns have brought about changes in the traffickers, their modus operandi, and their manipulation of the victims, which has only resulted in an increase in the number of cases being reported over time. In the landmark judgment, the Supreme Court, acknowledging the pendency of trials in human trafficking cases, has also issued directions to all the High Courts across the country to call for necessary information in respect to the status of the pending trials related to child trafficking cases. Further, the trial courts were directed to complete the trials within a period of six months, by conducting the trials on a day-to-day basis if required.
With cases of missing children, presumed to be taken as cases of abduction or trafficking unless the investigation shows otherwise, many state governments in India have strengthened their legal framework and are developing ways to conduct the recovery of children and ensure protocols for the protection and rehabilitation of children.
In this context, it is important to highlight ‘Just Rights for Children’ (JRC), a network of over 250 NGO partners working across 418 districts in India to advance child protection and child rights. This expansive network has played a crucial role in tracking and rescuing children, particularly those trafficked across state borders. Over the years, JRC’s interstate collaboration has helped rescue thousands of children. Eastern India, a known source region for child trafficking, has witnessed several successful operations where state governments, inter-agency intelligence, law enforcement collaboration, and JRC partners have come together to dismantle trafficking networks and apprehend traffickers.
West Bengal is one of the states that has witnessed and ensured maximum recovery in cases of missing children, especially with the proactive protocols developed by the state government, further strengthened by the state police department. The state police are undertaking all necessary efforts and initiatives to ensure inter-state coordination for conducting raids and rescuing children. Further, as part of the prevention strategy to combat human trafficking, the law enforcement officials in the state are regularly conducting awareness campaigns aimed at communities, parents and children to identify and immediately report trafficking cases. The West Bengal police is also actively strengthening the Swayamsiddha initiative of the state government and is regularly reaching out to schools to educate children about the emerging trends of human trafficking cases and their rights and safety measures.
In conclusion, combating human trafficking requires a comprehensive approach involving legal reforms, community awareness, victim support, and proactive responses of law enforcement. Continued efforts and collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and communities are essential to eradicate this heinous crime and protect vulnerable women and children from exploitation and abuse.
The writer is a social activist who has been at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking and has led NGOs that have helped rescue victims across India. Views expressed are personal.