A crime that forces and deceives women into sexual servitude.
Sex Trafficking
How IJM Works
with ST Victims
Sex trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) is a ‘rape for profit’ trade, in which victims are kidnapped, coerced, deceived, transported or detained for the purpose of being sexually exploited for commercial gains. Although CSE and related forms of human trafficking clearly violate international human rights conventions, the crime brings in significant profits for the offenders and thus continues to be a growing industry.
Once trafficked, the victims face violence on a daily basis. In addition to being raped multiple times a day, both children and forced adults are particularly vulnerable to violent physical abuse from owners, pimps and customers. They are also at a significantly higher risk of contracting HIV or sexually transmitted diseases. Often, they receive a mere fraction of the profits from their exploitation or none at all, making it impossible for them to provide basic amenities for themselves.
Sex trafficking is a criminal offence under Article 23 of the Constitution of India, Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) regardless of the consent of the victim. If the victims are minor, perpetrators can also be tried under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act, 2012.
How IJM Works
IJM identifies areas where young women and girls have being forced into sexual slavery and then works with the local police to conduct rescue operations. Victims who are minors and any major who has been forced into sexual servitude against their will are removed from the crime location.
Rescue Victims
IJM has assisted the police in rescuing victims of trafficking who have been sexually exploited for commercial purposes. By collaborating with the local police and Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), through procedures established under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956, IJM has successfully rescued over 940 victims of commercial sexual exploitation since the year 2000.
Restore Survivors
Every rescue sets into action a number of different processes in the public justice system. Restoring victims and helping them transition into mainstream society is an important element in securing justice. Social workers and counsellors assess the needs of the individual victim and then formulate a rehabilitation and social reintegration plan. IJM continues to work alongside victims of sex trafficking right from the time of rescue up to 4 years.
Bring Criminals to Justice
A crucial objective of every rescue is to make perpetrators accountable for their crime. IJM believes that every conviction helps end impunity and acts as a deterrent to other traffickers. To this end, IJM provides legal representation to victims of commercial sexual exploitation before courts of law. By working with the police and public prosecutors, IJM has secured justice for 132 sex trafficking survivors.
Support existing government mechanisms
Upon invitation, experienced and knowledgeable IJM representatives train government officials in anti-human trafficking laws and procedure. In 2015, IJM trained over 11,000 government officials in the procedures and offences established in the existing trafficking prevention laws in India.
IJM has also served on the panel of a number of State-level discussions and has also been appointed to assess government programmes and schemes in relation to commercial sexual exploitation.
Empower the community
IJM believes that the community plays a significant role in ending the crime of commercial sexual exploitation. By being vigilant and identifying instances of trafficking, and by supporting rehabilitative and reintegration programmes, communities provide vital support to victims and survivors alike.
IJM partners with grass-root NGOs and community based organisations to empower vulnerable community members through awareness programmes on human trafficking and the legal recourse that is available to them.
