Resisting Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is among the worst of all crimes held in the world. It is diversifying at a rapid pace. Indian Constitution does provide for equal rights for both men and women but still, it is not implemented properly. Proper awareness needs to be spread in the areas where there is a lack of education and poverty.

Constitutional provisions in India

Article 23(1) of the Indian Constitution prohibits trafficking in human beings. Some of the other important legislative provisions include:

• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA)
•  Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013
•  Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
•  Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
•  Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
•  Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
•  Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994

Need help?

If any help is needed by anyone regarding the prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation of human trafficking survivors, then one can contact the below-mentioned NGOs.

Some of the Indian NGOs for human trafficking survivors are as follows:

1. Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan
2.  Prajwala
3.  My Choices Foundation
4.  Society for Help Entire Lower and Rural People – HELP
5.  Vihaan (Waste Management Society)
6.  Development Focus
7.  Vipla Foundation
8.  Prerana
9.  Rescue Foundation
10.  Oasis India

There are several NGOs in India that work towards helping survivors of human trafficking. Some of the notable ones include:

1. Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA): Founded by Nobel Peace Prize nominee Kailash Satyarthi, BBA works towards rescuing and rehabilitating child trafficking survivors. They also work towards creating a child-friendly justice system in India and advocate for laws to protect children from trafficking.
2. Prajwala: This NGO focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating survivors of sex trafficking. They have a shelter home for survivors, provide vocational training and education, and also work towards creating awareness about human trafficking.
3. Rescue Foundation: This NGO works towards rescuing and rehabilitating survivors of trafficking for forced labor and sex work. They have a team of trained rescue agents who work in coordination with the police to rescue survivors. They also provide medical aid, counseling, and vocational training to survivors.
4. The Freedom Project: This NGO works towards rescuing and rehabilitating survivors of sex trafficking. They have a shelter home for survivors and provide them with medical aid, counseling, and vocational training. They also advocate for laws to protect survivors of human trafficking and create awareness about the issue.
5. Nomi Network: This is a non-profit organization that empowers women survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation by providing them with skills training and job opportunities. They work with a network of partners to provide job readiness training, mentoring, and business development assistance.

These NGOs play a vital role in rescuing and rehabilitating survivors of human trafficking in India. They work towards providing survivors with the necessary aid and support to rebuild their lives and also advocate for laws to protect them and create awareness about the issue.

How can you help in resisting human trafficking?

Anyone living anywhere can contribute to resisting human trafficking by keeping a few ideas and thoughts in mind. 

• Recognize the signs: You should be well aware of the red flags and signs regarding human trafficking.
• Training: Public health professionals can get trained by OTIP’s National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center. Awareness training can also be taken by individuals, businesses, educators, federal employees, and so on.
• Write it up: You can use various social media platforms to disseminate information with respect to human trafficking and can use the following hashtags – #endtrafficking and #freedomfirst. Information related to the health issues associated with sexual exploitation, such as HIV/ AIDS and unwanted pregnancies, should be made available to the people.
• Volunteer: You can volunteer in anti-trafficking organizations or can participate in awareness events organised by them. It’s always a good option to ask from such organisations as to how you can help them.
• Be informed: You should stay informed at all times. This can be done by reading reports regarding such activities from newspapers, magazines, or social media. You can also sign up for DOJ human trafficking news alerts and follow the anti-trafficking organisations on media. Apart from all this, you can also check out OTIP’s newsfeed and CNN’s Freedom Project for stories related to trafficking.
• Schools and Colleges: In schools and colleges, management authorities can be asked to include human trafficking in their curriculum. It will help in raising awareness and information about the issue. Spread the word by organizing campaigns in schools and colleges.
• Parents and Caregivers: Parents and caregivers can host community awareness campaigns on the issue and can also ask the community to organize events keeping the issue in mind. Campaigns and events should be such that it includes educating the people about the true nature of human trafficking and its consequences.

Conclusion

Coping with the issue of trafficking is not an easy task. It involves the cooperation of each and every individual as well. One should be educated enough to understand the causes and effects of this evil crime, and police should also take appropriate steps according to the law on time. More stringent laws should be made to deal with this monstrous crime.