CHILD trafficking is a crime that robs children of their innocence in a violent and traumatic manner and strips them of opportunities to be a child. Child trafficking also impacts future generations. Since victims of child trafficking have their childhoods stolen from them, these children grow into adults who are unaware of what it means to live in a world in which strict adherence to the law is the norm. If it were the case, why were the rules not followed when they were lured, abducted, exploited and thrown into red light districts where they would suffer years of sexual abuse and torture?
July 30th is World Day Against Trafficking In Persons and the 2024 theme is Leave No Child Behind In The Fight Against Human Trafficking. The UN estimates that one in 3 victims of human trafficking is a child and most of these children are girls. There are multiple forms of child trafficking that exploit children for begging, transporting drugs, forced labor and sexual exploitation. While every form of trafficking in children is a crime that leads to permanent damage, sexual exploitation carries far worse scars in children that are more difficult to heal. The following 5 founders of organizations have been in the fight against the sexual exploitation of children for decades and need the support of individuals across India to end this despicable crime.
Here are 5 anti child trafficking NGOs across India:
Vinay Vasta
Vinay heard the screams and cries of a small girl and, taking a few careful steps to approach her, saw her being sexually abused by a grown man. This was the horrific incident that led Vinay to establish SAI (NGO full form: Social Activities Integration) in the 1990s in Mumbai to end child trafficking. The organization removes minors from the dangerous environment of the red light district and gives them a healthier upbringing that is fit for a child. This includes a safe home, healthy food, medical care and education to support their desire for a brighter and better future for themselves. While rescuing children, Vinay also works with the families to break the generational cycle of sex workers bringing their children into brothels to be exploited for financial gain. To support Social Activities Integration, you can donate here:
Lalitha S.A.
Lalitha is a social worker who saw the sexual torture that children were forced into throughout Delhi’s GB Road red light district. Lalitha used to treat the bite marks on children’s bodies and burn marks on their genitals. Realizing that much more was needed, she founded SPID (NGO full form: Society for Participatory Integrated Development) in 2004 to rescue, feed, educate, counsel and shelter children in need of long-term care from the trauma they endured as victims of child trafficking. In the past 3 decades, Lalitha has rescued thousands of children and rehabilitated them with patience and affection. With more space, Lalitha can bring in more children who are still stuck in the GB Road red light district, waiting to be rescued. To support Society for Participatory Integrated Development, you can donate here:
Deepali Vandana
Deepali was born and raised in the red light district of Kamathipura in Mumbai. As a child, she witnessed groups of men crowding around dark and dingy rooms and she knew women were being exploited. But when she learned that children were being sexually abused, she had to do something about it. Her parents, though underprivileged, always prioritized her education and sense of social justice. Deepali co-founded Urja Trust in 2011 and, since she grew up in Kamathipura, learned how to spot the signs of child trafficking. Deepali knew that many runaways in Mumbai’s train stations are targets for traffickers who lure or force girls into red light districts. Urja Trust brings the girls to safety and provides shelter and rehabilitation to build their futures. To support Urja Trust, you can donate here:
Girish Kulkarni
Girish witnessed a small girl, no older than twelve, being r*aped by a group of old men near a red light district in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. Shaken to his core, Girish Kulnarni started rescuing children from these dangerous areas and sheltering them through his organization Snehalaya, which he founded in 1992 to fight child trafficking. What he found while rescuing these children is that many of these minors contracted HIV as a result of sexual abuse. For the past 30 years, Snehalaya has cared for more than 21,000 children with safe shelter, regular meals, routine medical attention and education to help build their futures. Girish is currently caring for 250 HIV-positive children rescued from sexual torture in brothels. To support Snehalaya, you can donate here:
Manju Singh
Manju leads daring raids into red light districts to rescue children from brothels in Varanasi and bring them to a safe and secure place. In 1993, Manju Singh and her husband founded Guria and since then, the organization has rescued thousands of helpless minors from sexual abuse. The NGO has also rehabilitated them with shelter and the fight for justice. Manju believes that more than rescue is needed to end the crime of child trafficking. Her team provides legal assistance to victims, trains the police and authorities, conducts awareness campaigns and offers witness protection to victims while prosecuting traffickers and shutting down illegal brothels. Each court conviction and bail rejection of a trafficker is a win for Manju and the entire team. To support Guria, you can donate here:
Support anti child trafficking NGOs
This World Day Against Trafficking In Persons, your support to these NGOs fighting child trafficking can go a long way toward supporting child victims of this heinous crime. Minors require long-term care and rehabilitation is different for each child. By lending your support, you can give these victims of child trafficking the childhoods they deserve, filled with opportunities and laughter and help them recover from the trauma of a stolen childhood.
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.
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