Govt to draft policy to combat trafficking

In order to combat trafficking and work towards the rehabilitation of victims, the Delhi government on Monday decided to draft a policy to deal with such cases.

A task force has been formed to bring a policy, under which the victims of trafficking will be facilitated with skill development and professional placement.

The decision was taken in the first meeting of the state-level coordination committee, under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary K K Sharma on Monday, called to plan the course of action to combat trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.

The committee, set up on the orders of Supreme Court, was reconstituted in 2012. However, it met for the first time since then, after a written request of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal to the chief secretary. 

“Till date no such policy exists. The DCW suggested that organisations such as FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chambers of Commerce can be approached for facilitating CSR help for rehabilitation,” Maliwal said.

Among the major decisions taken during the meeting were visiting all brothels to inform them that if a minor is rescued from their brothel, it will be immediately closed. The chief secretary also decided to construct a residential school for children of sex workers to prevent second generation prostitution.

He was informed that till date, Delhi Police depends completely on the information given by the NGOs and other state governments.

Sharma then asked the police to form a strong information system so that victims from GB Road and other areas can be rescued.

He also asked the police officers and director of prosecution for the number of cases of trafficking in which FIRs and chargesheets were filed. 

It was discussed that many times Delhi Police has recommended closure of brothels. However, the brothel owners get a stay from court, which gives such orders since no rehabilitation policy exists for sex workers.

“Hence Delhi Government will formulate a rehabilitation policy. Also Delhi Police has been asked to appoint a sensitive lady officer for GB Road,” government officials said.

Delhi Goverment will also sign MOUs with other states to facilitate easy restoration of girls.
A suggestion of having video conferencing facilities for trafficking victims so that they can easily give their statements from their hometowns was also discussed.