The Dark Realities of Women Trafficking IX: The Need for Effective Rehabilitation and Livelihood Support for Rescued Women

Alternative Livelihood for Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Arun Pande

Supreme Court often raised concerns about the rehabilitation of adult women in our country. It doesn't get the attention it deserves. It is observed that alternative livelihood has always been an issue that affects women in prostitution. As it lacks, many are in a way forced to be into prostitution again. It is often argued that the women are into it by choice,it is futile to discuss this line in the absence of alternatives provided to the women. This is mostly the reason that they are seen to be trafficked after their rescue. So sometimes one feels that their rescue has any meaning without providing some reliable alternative.

Many NGOs and government agencies work to provide shelter, protection, and skills training. The government of India also offers some schemes. It is the fact that they suit minor girls who are ready for vocational training and have no family responsibilities. Unfortunately, adult victims need some source of income sufficient to lead a normal life consistently. Such programmes fall short of their needs.

Thus some women reject the option of exit and rather continue despite exploitation. They find shelter homes too closed to stay, some describe it as jail and not better as compared to brothels. Women with children find vocational training difficult as they have the responsibility. This is the experience of the author in Goa.

The author doesn't find satisfactory livelihood options with the economic component taken care of. This certainly is to be focused on avoiding trafficking. Those who accept fate, think before their exit, but those who think of exit need alternative livelihood after the rescue. No one can be forced to think of exit, ultimately they have to willingly participate in the skills training.

The author expects such programmes to be designed keeping the need and implementation at the centre. The women are at risk of many things, like injury, sexual assault, some medical conditions, malnutrition, stress, depression and some mental disorders. Thus providing an option of alternative livelihood is a challenge. They need counselling, care and protection too. There has to be a good understanding of their situation and expert workers to work with them. The government has to step into the picture to look after many components and services for such programmes.

Women need accommodation with safety, and money till they start earning regularly. The agencies that employ the women have to take care of these things. This would make the new start possible. A good team of social workers is also needed besides legal, mental and health support. The people from their old life keep trying to reach the women, to lure or threaten them. So security too is of great importance. Sometimes the help of the police department is also required. Their family members are also to be kept in the loop. Many financial activities need some help and training. Their necessary documents are to be prepared to avail the benefits of government schemes.

Rehabilitation and alternative livelihood programmes is a long process where many factors need to come together and work.

Post Rescue Operations: Bringing The Unnoticed Subject Of Post Rescue Operations On The Anti-trafficking Radar
By Priti Patkar ( part 1 )

A story of a minor girl from Bangladesh is narrated to explain how even the rehabilitation centre could not help a rescued girl. If no professional counseling and assistance is offered there would be no hope for recovery and proper rehabilitation. It results into a long wait to get out of the shelter homes, unfortunately, sometimes the situation before the rescue sounds better to the victims. A lot needs to be done in this area.

At times traffickers manipulate to the extent of making the justice system ineffective. Ultimately the situation remains dominated by them and the rescued victims get lost in the dark web again.

A couple of mass raids conducted some 30 years ago in Mumbai found more than 90% of girls were minors, around 480 girls were freed from the clutches, and they were sent to protective homes. The system was not equipped to deal with such several rescues. The girls who belonged to Nepal were repatriated, and those from other states were sent home. Unfortunately, within 6 months many of them returned to the dark web. Even the girls pleaded that they were major and requested that no one should accompany them home. They felt they would be exposed, some said they willingly were into it. Of course, they were either forced or were instructed to give such statements.

The sex traders view rescue as a financial loss to them, so try their level best to get the girls back with them. They pose as relatives and try to claim custody. As they were known faces, they attempted to send outstation people to claim the custody, some parents managed to get the custody to avoid delays. The required documents were prepared, in such a scenario if there is no follow-up, girls are again seen with the brothels.

Thus there is a need to ensure a few things. Girls ought to be protected from offenders and trafficking. The time for the recovery is to be given, sustainable alternative livelihood should be offered. The offenders should be brought to justice.

After a rescue operation in 2000, the childcare instructions suggested that they need to be sent to the institutions exclusively meant for them. HIV status was expected to be submitted before their admission. Even though many shelter homes nurse some prejudices against these girls, they are not easily accepted by them. This is unfortunate but is a fact.

The project rescue and rehabilitation is to be scaled with great caution.