VASCO: ARZ’s (Anyay Rahit Zindagi), founding member Arun Pandey expressed concern over Goa’ future path given the ever growing expanse of online sex trafficking in the State. He appealed to various government authorities, police forces, reporters, NGOs and other social organisations to come together to combat this issue. He was speaking during the Arz’s 25th anniversary which was organised in cooperation with Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ).
The event was centered around the discussion of the reporter’s role in a fight against illegal sex trade. GUJ president Rajtilak Naik, general secretary Vasudev Pagi and Dr Rupesh Patkar were present as the special speakers. Pandey threw a light on how women are forced into commercial sex trade and the measures that can be taken to eradicate the issue.
“There are various laws to do away with this profession which is illegal in India. However, police and other government systems look at human trafficking as a social issue which is why lot of questions remain unsolved. Women or a girls who are involved in this profession are victims of circumstances but instead of filing complaints against their ‘customers’, police file complaints against the victims themselves. Most of the women wish to get out of the sex trade but they do not have an alternate employment option. The procurers who force these women into the illegal sex trade are seldomly interrogated,” said Pandey.
He also drew attention towards anti-human trafficking law being passed in 2003 which is not effectively implemented in the State. “There are anti trafficking police units in both South and North Goa but they exist for namesake. Actions taken against the supposed massage parlours, hotels and procurers are not stringent enough.”
