MARGAO: Stating that there is a demand in the State for sexual activities, Julian Lohara, Coordinator ARZ, an NGO working towards combating human trafficking for sexual activities, said that these activities, which were limited to hotel and massage parlours, are now spreading to residential areas, mostly in big housing complexes.
She appealed to raise the voice against commercial sexual activities and be alert so that Goa remains safe. "It is high time that all stand-up and say enough is enough", she urged.
Addressing the gathering at the function organised by Rotary Club of Margao Midtown to celebrate the International Day against Human Trafficking at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Friday, she claimed that now Margao is targeted as a place for organising sexual activities.
She stated that Goa is one of the major destinations in India for trafficking-related to commercial sexual activities. During the period 2014 to 2019, girls and women were trafficked to Goa from 24 States of India, including Goa.
"The forms of commercial sexual activities have changed a lot in the past half-decade. The commercial sexual activities, which were previously limited to hotel and massage parlours, are found to be spreading to residential areas, mostly in big housing complexes", claimed Julian.
"There is a demand created in Goa for sexual activities, as the State is being portrayed as a place for sexual purpose. The two S in Goa-Sun and Sand is getting lost, when it comes to tourists. Tourists now come to Goa mainly for the purpose of sexual services", she stated.
Julian said in recent days the phenomenon found is that residential flats are being used for the purpose of sexual activities in Goa. "Our concern is that now the sexual activities are moving in residential areas. In Margao, we do find women standing on the streets and they take customers in lodges. All the activities related to commercial sex are being organised in Margao. Hotels and lodges are allowing such type of activities", she claimed.