PANJIM: In a State where cases of online commercial sexual activities are witnessing a surge, victims from as many as 24 States are being trafficked to this tourist destination with Maharashtra and West Bengal as two top source States.
The startling revelation was made in a comprehensive report on trafficking of women and children for Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) prepared by NGO Anyay Rahit Zindagi (ARZ).
In the statistical analysis report, released at a two-day workshop to combat the CSE, conceded 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. Foreign countries from which women were trafficked include — neighbouring countries such as Nepal and Bangladesh; as well as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Russia and Thailand,” it mentions.
The report, which has been prepared, based on cases busted by the police and the NGO in addition to disclosures made by the rescued victims has discovered that there has been reduction in the last five years, in trafficking of girls and women to Goa from Nepal, but a substantial increase in trafficking from Bangladesh.
With regards to trafficking from different States in India to Goa, there has been reduction in the last five years from the North East States such as Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram. The new trend highlights that Maharashtra and West Bengal are top two source States for Goa followed with Delhi. The National Capital Region (NCR) is developing as a source area for Goa, NGO ARZ Director Arun Pandey, who presented the report, on Tuesday said.
The analysis also found that the forms of commercial sexual activities have changed a lot in the past half-decade which were previously limited to hotel and massage parlours. Pandey said that the illegal activities are now found to be spreading to residential areas, mostly in big housing complexes.
In what could prove a challenging task to the law enforcement authorities, the pimps and traffickers have switched over to latest technology to carry out the crime. In recent times it has been found that there has been an increase in usage of online platforms by traffickers for commercial sexual activities in Goa.
“Platforms such as websites, Facebook, locanto are used for advertising sexual services. The traffickers/perpetrators are using the Internet for recruitment, soliciting, receiving payments etc. Online advertisement has increased the reach of pimps to customers. It has also created anonymity for the pimps and clients,” Pandey said.
The ARZ Director opined that there still exist areas that require interventions of the government such as coordination between agencies in Goa, and source States and country, setting up of a special court under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956 for speedy trial, amendment in the legislations to address gaps in handling cases relating to online commercial sexual activities, etc.
Director General of Police Pranab Nanda, who also addressed the gathering of concerned officers and NGO representatives from various States, conceded that human trafficking remains a major serious trend and gross violation of human rights.
As per the report, 400 girls and women were rescued from the illicit profession from 2014 to 2019 till date
