PANAJI
With 158 vulnerable girls and women trafficked from 16 districts of Maharashtra to Goa over the past decade, the State has emerged as the top source for victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
Goa based NGO Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ), which has documented the trend in its Report on Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Goa “ Situation and Intervention (2019“2024), has begun conducting consultation sessions across the identified districts in Maharashtra.
Speaking to The Goan on the eve of World Day Against Trafficking of Persons, ARZ Founder Arun Pandey said that the initiative seeks intervention from the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to curb trafficking, ensure the protection of survivors and support their rehabilitation in their native places.
The report also indicates that Pune, particularly the Budhwar Peth red-light area, is a major hub for trafficking as victims are lured under false promises of contract-based work and then trafficked to Mapusa market and other areas of North Goa.
“Pune’s Budhwar Peth has become a source point where traffickers lure women and girls, often aged between 18 and 30, with fake job offers. They are then trafficked to Goa,” he said. Why Goa? The NGO hinted that being a neighbouring state and influx of visitors, it becomes a high-demand hub.
According to ARZ's findings, Mumbai and Thane districts alone accounted for 75 and 45 victims respectively from 2014 to 2024. Other districts such as Kolhapur (8), Nagpur (5), and Pune (4) also featured prominently, while Sangli, Solapur, Palghar and Yavatmal reported fewer but significant cases. In total, victims have been trafficked from 16 districts across Maharashtra.
“At Ratnagiri, where we held our latest session on Tuesday, judges, police, and NGOs have assured us of their support. This is encouraging, as we want that survivors -- once they return and try to rebuild their lives -- are not harassed or threatened by traffickers or anyone else,” Pandey said.
Efforts are also ongoing in Goa to rehabilitate and protect rescued victims. “It is essential to ensure that victims receive legal counselling, livelihood support, and protection during and after the trial process. Agencies are also working to ensure their presence during court proceedings to strengthen cases against traffickers,” he added.
