Anantapur: Non-governmental and service organisations working against the trafficking of women stress the need to implement the latest draft of the trafficking of persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 which exhibits the incorporation of some notable changes that serve to strengthen it in terms of its effectiveness in combating the huge problem of trafficking of persons throughout India.
Ram Mohan, state convener — NATSEP (Network Against Trafficking and Sexual exploitation in Andhra Pradesh) and district CWC (Chlld Welfare Committee) chairperson Nallani Rajeswari, Vantia NGO president Gutta Harisarovothama Naidu and 20 non-government organisations took part in a seminar on the rise of women’s trafficking and child abuse cases, here on Thursday. Ms. Nallani Rajeswari stressed the need to rehabilitate the victims till they recover and can lead normal lives on their own.
Previously, the Bill -2018 faced objections and was passed in the Lok Sabha, Rammohan recalled and sought clearance from the Rajya Sabha. The establishment of a dedicated authority is to handle inter-state investigations and coordination activities relating to trafficking of persons, called the National Anti-Trafficking Bureau and the appointment of state anti-trafficking officers, to create infrastructure for follow-up action at the district-level for investigation purposes as well as the rehabilitation of trafficking survivors.
“These highlights show that the bill contains a multi-dimensional response to trafficking, encompassing provisions relating to all stages of investigation, intelligence-gathering, rescue, rehabilitation and judicial processes. Empowerment of district-level infrastructure envisions a strong response to trafficking and concentration of rehabilitation initiatives at the grassroots level, which is designed to impact individual survivors who struggle to receive reparation and reintegrate into their communities,” Rammohan observed and added that the organisations had collected signatures from MP candidates, seeking support to the bill.
