PANAJI
​Over seven years, 35 per cent of the victims of illegal commercial sexual activities in Goa were rescued from massage parlours.
The data was revealed by Arunendra Pandey, Director of NGOI Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ).
ARZ and Centre for Responsible Tourism (CRT) on Friday voiced the need for tighter monitoring of massage parlours in Goa in order to prevent sexual harassment of female employees working in such establishments.
Fr Savio of CRT, Pandey and Jayashree of ARZ have demanded that the government make it mandatory to have separate premises with separate entry and exits for male and female massages, ensure establishment of sexual harassment committee at all spas and salons in collaboration with prominent NGOs, define the term “cross massage” clearly in the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act and rules and to initiate stringent action against the premises and owners of such establishments found violating these rules.
Spekaing to the media, Pandey stated, “In last seven years, 683 girls have been rescued. Out of these, 171 are from massage parlours. In other words, 35 per cent of the girls rescued from commercial sexual activities are from massage parlours.”
He said that several of these victims complained to their employers about sexual harassment. However, no complaints have been lodged with the police by any spa, salon or massage parlour management in these regards till date.
“Goa is a destination for trafficking and commercial sexual activities. Cross massage happens in most parlours. Foreigner girls have told us that their visas and passports are taken away from them and they are forced to do this work. Bouncers are kept at their residence. None of the parlours have sexual harassment committees,” Pandey stated.
ARZ and CRT lamented that the punishment for the violation of ITP Act is not deterrent enough to stop cross massage.
“A bogey is being raised that tourism will get affected if this stops in Goa. But if the government doesn’t act, it will affect Goa’s image as a family tourist destination. There is a need for amendment to the law and rules,” Pandey argued adding that there should be a clear definition of the term “cross massage” in the law.
He made a case for tightening of the monitoring system under the Directorate of Health Services, which is the licensing authority for such commercial establishments.
“We are not against massage parlours, we are against violation of women,” Pandey said.
