In Conversation With: Aaboo Varghese of Purnata

GIVE.DO is in conversation with Aaboo Varghese of the anti-trafficking organization Purnata, which rescues children from sexual exploitation in red light districts and rehabilitates the abused minors with safe shelter, nutritious food, medical support, education, counseling and all that a victim of trafficking needs to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives with hope. Purnata also works to prevent child trafficking through awareness sessions to help people recognize the signs of trafficking and how to reach out to when people are in danger. Here are 5 questions with Aaboo Varghese of the Mumbai-based organization Purnata. 

 

Give.do: How prevalent is child sex trafficking in India?

Aaboo Varghese: Child trafficking for sexual exploitation is a serious and growing problem in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), thousands of children go missing every year – many of whom are suspected to be trafficked. Though the exact numbers are hard to determine due to underreporting and misclassification, India is considered both a source and destination for trafficking for sex work, especially of young girls. Traffickers often lure children and families with false promises of jobs, education or marriage and then sell them into red-light areas, brothels or hidden establishments.

 

Major trafficking hubs include metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, as well as border areas like those along Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Indo-Bangladesh border. Vulnerable groups — especially children from poor, rural or marginalized communities — are particularly at risk. Child trafficking for sexual exploitation is prevalent in India. As some statistics point out, from the total number of sexual exploitation victims, 40% are minors. Although some research done by IJM shows that the presence of minors in red light areas has decreased drastically, we believe that it has shifted to private establishments. Child trafficking has decreased due to the implementation of POCSO laws, but the demand and the lack of data could say otherwise.

 

At Purnata, we’ve seen how early intervention, community awareness and collaboration with law enforcement can disrupt trafficking chains. We at Purnata have rescued over 100 minors from these situations and the reality is that every rescued child represents dozens more still trapped. It is an urgent issue that needs continued support and action.

 

Give.do: What are the effects of sexual abuse on children? 

Aaboo Varghese: Sexual abuse has devastating effects on children, impacting them emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Victims often suffer from intense trauma, depression, anxiety, self-harm tendencies, PTSD and social withdrawal. Physically, they may deal with injuries, STDs, unwanted pregnancies or substance dependency (often introduced by exploiters). Mentally, they often struggle with trust, identity and a sense of worth, especially if the abuse began early or involved betrayal by someone they knew. It significantly also reduces their ability to learn and leads to short attention spans.

 

Children rescued from sex trafficking also experience deep shame, guilt, and a distorted view of relationships and love. Some may have learned helplessness, believing they are unworthy of anything better, or that they are to blame. Without proper trauma-informed care, many survivors either return to exploitation or live in long-term emotional pain. 

 

This is why, at Purnata, we focus on holistic rehabilitation — providing not just shelter, but also counseling, education, healthcare, safe, trusting relationships and loads of unconditional love that help restore their dignity and hope. Healing is possible. We have seen it firsthand. But it takes time, compassion and consistent care. A child once broken can blossom again with the right support and belief in their worth.

 

Give.do: How does Purnata work to prevent trafficking, rescue and rehabilitate victims and prosecute criminals?

Aaboo Varghese: Purnata uses the globally recognized 4P approach: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership to fight human trafficking holistically.

 

Prevention: Purnata works at both source and destination areas to reduce vulnerabilities. In red light areas like Sonapur and Ghatkopar in Mumbai and in source areas like West Bengal, we conduct awareness sessions, life skills training and community empowerment programs. We also promote safe migration and educate women and children about the tactics of traffickers.

 

Protection: Rescue: we collaborate with the police, child welfare committees and anti-human trafficking units to identify, intercept and rescue minors. This includes operations in red-light areas, railway stations and brothels. We also do “pre-sale” rescues, where children are intercepted before they are trafficked. Rehabilitation: rescued survivors are provided safe shelter, trauma counseling, education and vocational training. Centers like Mukhtir Aalo and Jeevan Asha in Mumbai and Kolkata offer care rooted in dignity and empowerment. Reintegration: we help survivors build new lives — from job placements to small business support — so they are not re-trafficked. Many are now waitresses, tailors, caregivers or even pursuing higher studies.

 

Prosecution: We collaborate with anti-human trafficking units and local police to conduct “pre-sale” rescues, identify minors and arrest traffickers. We also assist in legal processes and link survivors in partnership with JVI and DLSA (District Legal Services Authority) lawyers for justice.

 

Partnership: Purnata partners with NGOs, government bodies and corporate sponsors to scale its impact. We also train police personnel, legal stakeholders and community leaders, reinforcing a collaborative ecosystem to combat trafficking.

 

Together, these efforts work toward a trafficking-free India.

 

Give.do: What is the greatest need for these child victims?

Aaboo Varghese: The greatest need for child victims is restoration with dignity, not just rescue from exploitation. This involves long-term trauma-informed care, access to education, emotional healing and safe, stable environments where they are loved, heard and empowered. Many rescued children have never experienced healthy relationships. They need mentors and caregivers who model trust and love, not just services. They need time to dream again, to learn and to believe they are not defined by their past. 

 

From a practical standpoint, there is a huge need for sustainable funding to cover medical care, education, counseling, vocational training and legal support. Emotional recovery takes months or even years — it is not quick. We estimate a minimum of 5-7 years for a semblance of a recovery and healing. Many children have no safe homes to return to, so long-term shelter and reintegration planning is essential. At Purnata, we have seen that when you invest in one child’s healing, you impact an entire generation. Their restoration is a powerful testimony of God’s love and it often becomes a guiding light for others still trapped.

 

Give.do: Is there a book or documentary film that you would recommend people should read or watch to learn more about this issue?  

Aaboo Varghese: Yes. For those wanting to understand the global scope of trafficking, I recommend the documentary Not My Life by Robert Bilheimer. It powerfully shows how trafficking affects children worldwide — including India — and captures both the pain and the possibility of hope. The Taken series also brings out the issue from a Hollywood angle.

Some Bollywood films include Lakshmi, ⁠Mandi, ⁠Mardaani, ⁠Chameli and ⁠Love Sonia. Gangubai Kathiawadi, for those interested in understanding the complexities of human trafficking and the lives of sex workers in Mumbai, offers a poignant and powerful portrayal. But I believe the movie is glamorised and does not bring out the horror of this trade fully.

The Slave Next Door by Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter is an excellent readable and real book. It exposes how modern-day slavery hides in plain sight, often within our cities, homes and supply chains. It is a strong reminder that trafficking is not just a problem “out there”. It is a here-and-now injustice and includes domestic servitude, sex trafficking and labor exploitation.

Not for Sale The Return of the Global Slave Trade—And How We Can Fight It by David Batstone covers real stories from around the world highlighting the problem and people fighting back.

Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd is a memoir by a trafficking survivor who founded Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) in New York City and offers unique insight from someone who has lived the experience.

To know more about our specific work at Purnata, we encourage you to watch this short video that offers a real glimpse into how healing, empowerment, and justice come together when we intervene with love and purpose. 

 

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