Globally, one in every three victims of trafficking detected is a child. The share of children among detected trafficking victims has tripled, while the share of boys has increased five times over the past 15 years. *
Today, 30th July, is World Day Against Trafficking
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery that exists in every corner of the world. Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Human trafficking in India is one of the largest aspects of organised crime. According to data, Divya (2020) suggests that 95% of trafficked persons in India are forced into prostitution. A Reuters study (in Habibulla 2021) estimates there are 20 million prostitutes in India - 16 million women and girls are victims of trafficking. Most remain in forced labour and debt bondage for life, unable to ever return to their home and family. COVID has exacerbated existing inequalities and made those living in poverty, especially the Dalits, even more vulnerable to significant harm and exploitation.
For Project Help India, ‘World Day Against Trafficking’ provides us with an opportunity to share with you the important work that we do to fight this hideous crime, and to raise awareness with you.
Our work in Anti-Human Trafficking is one aspect of the ‘holistic’ nature of our mission to care for children. The main areas of vulnerability for the kids that we work with are sex trafficking, forced hard labour, forced marriage and organ harvesting. Our efforts mostly focus on education and awareness. We also work closely in partnership with the local police responding to situations specific to the children and families who attend our education centres, or who are known members of the slum communities and villages where we work. Organised crime syndicates (mafia) prey on vulnerable slum kids and they also target parents who may be unemployed, alcoholics, addicts or living in desperate circumstances. To sell your child for as little as $50 with the promise of a better life for them, can be an easy trap.
Project help works hard to keep our students safe from these people (many of whom are also ensnared in a vicious web caused by their own circumstance of poverty). This is why our staff are visible and highly engaged in community life.
What we do
we support and provide assistance where possible to the under resourced Uttarakhand State Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit. The police work closely with our team to deliver school and community awareness programs and interventions to rescue missing children and young people.
In 2021-2022 Project Help India, with the police delivered 16 workshops in local schools and colleges
We estimate that 5000-6000 students attended these workshops
We transported the police between venues, providing refreshments and equipment such as data projectors and sound systems
Our teachers at our 8 Centres provide regular safety lessons to all of our students. Awareness of sensitive and scary content for children, is presented in a caring and age-appropriate way.
Information seminars for the parents of our students are also delivered.
We duly note that 16 children were rescued over the past 12 months by the Police Team in Kotdwara.
How you can help
If this is an area of social justice and advocacy that you are invested in, please let us know. Your donation to Project Help India’ can be directly used to support our Anti-Human Trafficking initiatives. Over the years, some of our supporters have asked for their donation to be specifically used to fund our school programs and to help and encourage the police team. At times we buy resources (printers, ink cartridges, paper and stationery) for the Police Unit. It would be our great pleasure to direct your donation to your requested area of impact.
Any large donation would certainly provide us with leverage to do more. Your donation of $1500 AUS would pay the annual salary a Project Help Community Care Worker - a specific role that we would love to create to specifically develop our anti-human trafficking programs. Please let us know if you would like to help.
data in photo caption sourced from United Nations (2022)
Lead image - with thanks to @timtebowfoundation.org