The first response to a problem like sex trafficking by any government is denial. It
takes a lot of lobbying efforts to push the government to accept and acknowledge
the problem. Even the government of Andhra Pradesh went through the same state.
To make the problem of sex trafficking visible an action research on inter state sex
trafficking was done. Published as “The Shattered Innocence” this study for the first
time brought to light the extent and magnitude of inter-state sex trafficking from
Andhra Pradesh to other states. Released by the government the study made a huge
impact on the minds of people.
Hundreds of thousands of young adults and children are traded for flesh trade in the
guise of jobs, marriage, film roles, modeling and love. More often than not these traders of
human misery are not strangers to the victims. Criminal conspiracy to exploit human
vulnerability is at the core of human trafficking.Trafficking in women and children is one
of the worst forms of violation of human rights - a form of modern day slavery where the
victim is subjected to violence, violation of personal integrity and total humiliation, without
any hope of succor. The victim of such devastating violence may also end up with life
threatening HIV/AIDS or a lifetime of trauma and personality disintegration.
As a consequence the State of Andhra Pradesh became the first state in the country
to evolve an anti-trafficking policy.
Similarly through tremendous lobbying efforts a collective attempt was made with
partner child rights organizations and UNICEF to bring in co-management of
government homes so as to improve the conditions of government homes.
Various other police level advocacy is done to bring in rescue protocol and a minimum
standards of care guidelines.
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