The rescued survivors of trafficking shall be facilitated with enough support for their socio-economic empowerment through “Community Based Rehabilitation” beyond following the existing age-old institutionalisation system where they are being coarsely detained for months and years long in jails like shelter homes in the name of rehabilitation and empowerment asserted Smt. N.Apoorva and B.Pushpa who are the president and secretary of VIMUKTHI – A State level forum of survivors of trafficking and victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
The rescued survivors of trafficking shall be facilitated with enough support for their socio-economic empowerment through “Community Based Rehabilitation” beyond following the existing age-old institutionalisation system where they are being coarsely detained for months and years long in jails like shelter homes in the name of rehabilitation and empowerment asserted Smt. N.Apoorva and B.Pushpa who are the president and secretary of VIMUKTHI – A State level forum of survivors of trafficking and victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation.
They added that, there are 2500 victims have been rescued from human trafficking from 2015 to 2021 in the state in accordance with the reports of National Crime Records Bureau. But only 15 survivors have availed victim compensation under NALSA scheme through Nirbhaya funds. Simultaneously, at least 20% of the rescued victims have not been able to avail rehabilitation support along with the social entitlements under GO.MS.No. 1/2003 which is the failure of the government.
Smt. Apurva stressed that, no rescued victims of trafficking wants to follow a preordained timetable in the shelter homes where they have been restrained by force like in jails for months and years long in the name of rehabilitation, counseling and skill trainings. Instead, she appealed the government to frame and implement a state specific policy on Community Based Rehabilitation where the rights of the victims are being respected and that leads them towards their holistic development which is their real empowerment.
Smt. Pushpavathi, State Secretary of VIMUKTHI agonized that, the existing anti-trafficking policies and legislations are focused on rescue of the victims and prosecution of the traffickers but no concrete measures being taken up and put in practice for addressing the issues of stigma and discrimination, providing effective rehabilitation and victims compensation for the rescued victims of trafficking.
VIMUKTHI leaders observed that, there are few legal instruments are in force in India to curb the crime of human trafficking such as ITPA, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and Sec 370 IPC. But the root cause of this failure in extending enough support to victims is, nowhere there are clear provisions and connotations in these existing policies and legislations on needs and services required for rescued survivors of trafficking to mainstream them in the society through government organisations/agencies for their rehabilitation.
The rescued survivors of trafficking are being returned back to homes empty-handed at last after several months of their detention in shelter homes in the name of rehabilitation. Whereas, the traffickers are being released on bail just within 15 days and are roaming on the streets with no fear and care for anyone. She lamented that, these survivors after coming back to their homes are not in a position to avail any employment/livelihood with the scanty skills they learnt from shelter homes also they receive no rehabilitation and victim compensation or any other state support services. On the other hand, they are becoming more vulnerable because of the social stigma and discrimination. In this pathetic condition, many of these victims are go to opt sex work as their livelihood to face the challenges of survival and to survive their children and themselves.
No government policies on facilitating rehabilitation:
Smt. P.Rajani and D.Bajivali, Vice-President of VIMUKTHI stated that, in fact there is no clear guidelines, directions and specific policies by the government for the rehabilitation of rescued survivors of trafficking which creating dilemma among the government personnel right from village to the district level officials who are always in quest of what, how and through whom they serve to the rescued victims. She cited that, the personnel of line departments at village/ward sachivalayam, mandal and district levels are expressing their helplessness when they receive applications from the rescued victims of trafficking for their housing, livelihoods and economic support under rehabilitation services as there is no clear provisions and procedure by the government.
VIMUKTHI leaders appeal to the state government to take necessary measures at least now onwards by framing a state specific policy on Community Based Rehabilitation for the rescued survivors of human trafficking and implement the same through village/ward level sachivalayams.
VIMUKTHI leaders appeal to the state government to take necessary measures at least now onwards by framing a state specific policy on Community Based Rehabilitation for the rescued survivors of human trafficking and implement the same through village/ward level sachivalayams.
About HELP:
HELP is a voluntary organisation mentoring VIMUKTHI (A State level forum of sex workers and survivors of trafficking) in its mission for socio-economic empowerment of sex workers and survivors of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. HELP is working over two decades for the prevention of human trafficking and also protection and welfare of women and children in vulnerable conditions in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
For any clarifications please contact – Mr. Nimmaraju Ram Mohan @ 99497 23666 Mr Bhaskar – Programme Manager – HELP @ 9949688014