Our Work
End Child Trafficking
Need
The National Crime Records Bureau report states that there were 2,878 reported cases of child trafficking in India in 2022.
10 children are reported missing every hour, with many falling victim to trafficking rings. Every day 8 children are trafficked and 3 children are pushed into labour.
Child trafficking is a grave human rights violation, an organised crime which also results in rampant sexual abuse and rape of children, child labour, slavery, prostitution, or other forms of sexual exploitation. It is a crime of economics, power, and patriarchy which is reflected in the large number of children getting trafficked into marriage. Children are forced into employment because they are the cheapest form of labour. They are also sexually exploited as they are the easiest to subjugate.
Approach
To achieve the tipping point to end the oldest organised crime of child trafficking, we intend to ensure prosecution at scale.
Sustained, scalable action focusing on prevention, prosecution, and victim rehabilitation is crucial. Increased law enforcement is urgently needed to combat trafficking in India, as current efforts are inadequate. Additionally, emerging forms of trafficking, such as spas, massage parlours, placement agencies, and online platforms, require greater attention and action.
Child trafficking can be eliminated by enforcing a holistic and comprehensive strategy that focuses on ending the crime as well as the ecosystem where this social evil perpetuates.
Action
Our partners work to rescue and rehabilitate children who have been trafficked into labour, marriage, commercial sexual exploitation, and other forms of exploitation, ensure the traffickers are prosecuted and support the victims with their legal claims to backwages and compensation. Our efforts include,
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Focussed work in districts with high prevalence of being source or target destinations for child trafficking.
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Ensuring immediate child protection, rehabilitation, and caregiver vigilance.
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Strengthening institutions, provide legal and psychosocial support, and strive for sustainable child protection in India.
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Combating child trafficking, labour, and other social evils through awareness campaigns and stakeholder engagement.
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Collaboration with law enforcement to enhance implementation mechanisms, and boost reporting and investigation of cases at the district and village level.
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Ensuring prosecution at scale of perpetrators to deter child trafficking.
SANIYA’S STORY
Saniya*, a mere 12-year-old from Jorhat district, Assam, had her world shattered when her trusted uncle betrayed her. He sold her into a life of servitude and abuse in a household in Guwahati's Kamrup Metropolitan district. Fear and despair threatened to consume her.
A glimmer of hope appeared in a chance encounter with a seemingly kind stranger. However, this hope soon turned into another nightmare. Trapped in a household plagued by daily physical and sexual abuse, her spirit remained unbroken.
With courage, she escaped and sought help from a neighbour, who took her to the police. The police provided her refuge in a children's home run by a Just Rights for Children partner.
Under the unwavering support of JRC, Saniya found solace and strength. Her perpetrators were brought to justice, and she is now on the path to healing, receiving counselling from the NGO's Support Person.
* Name changed for protection of the child
