Human trafficking, not just a mere word but a whole lot of trauma the victim has to go
through. In a similar incidence that took place in Bangladesh, where a teenager of hardly 13 years of age fell in love with a man of twice her age. He convinced her to flee with him. As it is quite normal in a country like Bangladesh to get married early, she thought there is nothing wrong if she does the same. So one night, gathering all her courage, she ran away with him. He took him to Kolkata, a metropolitan city of India. He told her that he wants her to stay at his aunt’s place for few days until he is sure that her parents have stopped searching for her. Though reluctantly, but she agreed to do the same. He left here there, assuring her that he will be back very soon. But the next morning started on a totally different note, she was informed by the woman, whom he introduced to her as his aunt that she was being sold to her by her so- called boy friend in return of the huge debts he has taken from her. She was shattered into pieces, unable to regain herself, she quietly submitted herself. There started her story of getting into the business of prostitution. She was beaten, abused, sexually, mentally and physically. But the pain of being cheated by the one she loved, was more than these. She was raped by the owner of the brothel and beaten daily for a month with a belt, the injury marks not only scarred her body, but also her mind. She was forced to get along with ten to twelve men every night. She tried to escape from the brothel many times, took many attempts, but never succeeded. The owner of the brothel dragged her back, pulling her hair, beating her up. She took it as her fate, she became a prostitute forever. She became the mother of two children, neither the children nor she herself knows the identity of the father.
One wrong step got her into a vicious trap from where she could never free herself. A mistake of her childhood landed her whole life into a mess.
Although her daughters were saved from the prostitution racket by a Non Governmental Organisation who helped them to get a job and earn their living. But what about her? She had an irreparable damage to her life.
The laws need to be amended and made stricter. Not just while travelling from one country to another, a thorough scrutiny should be done while travelling in one’s own country also. As human trafficking basically revolves around flesh trade for prostitution involving females, the children should be taught about such issues in schools also, not to make them suspicious individuals, but to keep them safe from such crimes. The laws that allows one’s spouse to gain access into another country just on the basis of the citizenship of that particular country needs a reform. This law has potentially led to an increase in sham marriages. The gangs abduct women whom they sell to the clients, the clients then marry the woman just to obtain the rights of entry into her country. The places which are known for their reputation as brothel need to be looked after well. Though prostitution is legalised in some countries, but every woman working there is not working because she wants to, she is there because the society outside those dim streets won’t accept her back. Legalisation on prostitution laws need to be dealt with great caution. The matter itself and the people involved are very sensitive, so the authorities dealing with them need to put a lot of emphasis on their interest. They should keep in mind the outcomes of their decisions. Making it legal may encourage it further. People need to change their outlook and treat them with respect. The women who actually want to be freed from these must be given a chance to start afresh. Employment opportunities need to be created for them. Their children should be able to enjoy a normal life.
The number of NGOs helping there women are increasing, a lot is being done to save them. But this is not all. Guidelines are issued by organisations to identify the victims and the culprit, helpline numbers are published, special cells are formed to look into such matters and deal with them. The officials are given special training to handle these victims. Rehabilitation homes are made. They are provided the basic amenities and the future of their children are taken care of by the people who join hands with the organisations that support this cause. Jobs are provided to the women who want to break free and live a respectful life. They are provided with financial security. These steps though a lot helpful, still could not suffice. Somewhere we still stand failed. Numbers of laws can be made, but if the outlook of the people don’t change, if we can’t treat them respectfully then any number of amendments can’t bring about a change. We need to be sensitive towards them. We need to empathize with them.
References
Survivor stories :Real stories real change real solutions. Abolish child
trafficking. A campaign of the covenant house.Web. 5 Dec.2014
Regina. The pixel project’s “16 for 16” campaign November 30,2012.Web 5 Dec.2014
Human trafficking. Wikipedia.5 Dec.2015. Web. 5 Dec. 2014
