FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday assured to take up the ongoing issue of sex trafficking with the Central government as 93 per cent of such cases involve persons from other States.
“Sex trafficking will not be tolerated in Goa, and all possible efforts will be made to control sex trafficking in Goa. Since 93 per cent of cases of sex trafficking are from outside the State of Goa, I will take up the issue with the Central ministry during my next visit to Delhi,” he said during a meeting with NGO ARZ director Arun Pandey who met him to hand over a report on sex trafficking in the State.
The CM further said that a multi-stakeholders training programme will be conducted to ensure that the members of the Law Enforcement Agencies are well equipped to handle the situation even as Goa has some of the best practices which need to be replicated by other States, especially relating to victim friendly rescue by police, victim friendly inquiry by the sub-divisional magistrate and provision of alternative livelihood provided to the victims of sex trafficking by ARZ (anyay rahit zindagi).
“Sex trafficking is one of the worst forms of violence committed against girls and women and Goa government in collaboration with the Central government will find solutions to control intercountry and intra country trafficking,” the CM said, while agreeing to inaugurate WISH – (Women Initiative For Self Help) Paper Products Production Unit to make tissue paper, toilet rolls, paper bags, etc.
Pandey said that the CM appreciated the efforts taken by ARZ to combat sex trafficking in Goa in the last 20 years, especially for providing alternative livelihood to victims of sex trafficking and economically empowering the victims of sex trafficking.
“The NGO has submitted a research report on the situation of sex trafficking in Goa and discussed the situation. CM has been briefed that Goa is one of the main destination States for sex trafficking. Victims are being trafficked from 24 States of India and countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh and of Central Asia. In India the main source States are Maharashtra, West Bengal and Delhi. Post COVID the situation has worsened and the vulnerability to sex trafficking all across the globe has increased,” Pandey said.
