NGO urges passing of long pending Bill in Parliament
PANAJI
Delhi has been identified as one of the major source destinations and transit points for victims trafficked for sexual exploitation to Goa, a revelation that comes after a recent survey claiming that Pune’s red-light area sends the highest number of victims from Maharashtra.
Disturbingly, Delhi also serves as the first destination for trafficked Russian women before they are sent to Goa.
This alarming trend was brought to the fore during a consultation in Delhi, organised as a follow-up to the International Consultation on Source States and Countries held in Goa in October 2024. NGO ARZ, which presented the report during the meeting, insisted on the need to reach out to source states and share information to combat sex trafficking.
The report revealed that Delhi serves as the first destination for trafficked Russian women before they are sent to Goa. Similarly, women and girls from various other places are trafficked to Delhi and subsequently to Goa.
In the consultation, where government agencies and NGOs collaborated to devise strategies, it was revealed that 15 girls and women from seven out of Delhi’s 11 districts were trafficked to Goa for commercial sexual exploitation between 2019 and 2024.
“Girls and women from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Bhutan and Central Asia were first trafficked to Delhi before being sent to Goa. Many were lured with promises of jobs, better salaries or were already engaged in commercial sex work. A significant number of victims were the primary breadwinners for their families, supporting siblings or other dependents,” the report stated.
The report identified South West Delhi and West Delhi as major source areas, with four cases each. North West Delhi reported three cases, while East Delhi, North Delhi, New Delhi, and Shahdara each reported one case.
It further highlighted vulnerabilities among victims, noting that many came from dysfunctional families where fathers were absent, deceased or failed to provide financial support.
“In some cases, victims faced financial crises, such as failed small businesses funded by loans. Child marriages, lack of formal education and experiences of domestic violence also made these victims more susceptible to exploitation,” it added.
Director and Founder of ARZ Arun Pandey, while acknowledging the efforts of the Goa government in rescue operations, prosecution of traffickers and rehabilitation of victims, stressed the need for stronger action in source states and countries to curb trafficking at its root.
“The trafficking continues in Goa due to a lack of effective measures in the source regions,” he said.
Pandey also sought the passing of the long-pending Anti-Trafficking Bill in Parliament. To this, Member of Rajya Sabha from Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) Sangeeta Yadav assured she would raise the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take suitable action to prevent and control sex trafficking.
Chairperson of the National Commission for Women Vijaya Rahatkar assured she would follow up on the Bill and work to bring all anti-trafficking organisations onto one platform to combat this menace.
