Sex trade nos. touch 1% of Goa population: ARZ

Panaji: The number of persons involved in commercial sexual activities increased, with estimates suggesting figures ranging between 13,000–14,000 individuals engaged in commercial sexual activities, the nodal agency for Goa police to rescue victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ) said.






Goa, like any other tourist destination, continues to be vulnerable to sex trafficking networks.





“Our field engagement in combating sex trafficking indicates the number of persons involved in commercial sexual activities increased, with estimates suggesting figures ranging between 13,000–14,000 individuals engaged in commercial sexual activities, approximately 1% of Goa’s population,” ARZ director Arun Pandey said.





He said that, of these, nearly 6,800 women are listed with the Goa State AIDS Control Society and reside in Goa, while the rest, around 7,000, are trafficked to Goa on short assignments from different states and countries.





The prevention of CSE at the source is important, but experience shows that prevention of CSE among vulnerable women and girls from Goa is equally critical, Pandey said.





“Through police efforts, many victims were rescued and admitted to the govt protective home, but the question arises: are we doing enough for their rehabilitation and reintegration? However, a major concern also remains: are we able to reach out to all the girls and women who are trafficked and commercially sexually exploited in Goa,” he said.





The ARZ has proposed that govt conduct a statewide comprehensive survey, including a confidential survey of women and girls engaged in commercial sexual activity in Goa. The survey should document the magnitude of the problem, reasons for trafficking, economic status and family dependency, rehabilitation needs and livelihood aspirations, and vulnerabilities of their children.





The ARZ said that govt should come up with an evidence-based policy to enable targeted and measurable interventions. Referring to the protection of children of women engaged in commercial sexual activities, Pandey said, “Many children of women in commercial sexual activity are at high risk of second-generation exploitation. We recommend targeted scholarship schemes, hostel facilities, mentoring support, and vocational pathways for adolescents.”





The ARZ said that there is an urgent need to strengthen the anti-human trafficking unit (AHTU).





“It will enable to increase the number of rescues of victims of sex trafficking, and the prosecution of traffickers, thus contributing towards controlling sex trafficking in Goa,” Pandey said.