Survivor-led Intelligence Network Helps Rescue Over 9,000 Children Trafficked During COVID-19 Pandemic

As the train slowly came to a halt, a crack team marched inside the coaches taking others by surprise. Within minutes, over 30 children, who were being trafficked from Katihar in Bihar to Delhi, rushed out of the compartment, crying profusely in joy. Real-time coordination with Satyarthi Movement's Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) not only helped the police rescue the children but also nab 17 traffickers as well. This, however, isn't an isolated case. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an exponential rise in trafficking of late.

Also Read: New Anti-Trafficking Bill To Be Tabled In The Parliament Proposes Higher And Graded Punishment If The Crime Is Committed Against A Child

During the pandemic, the conditions in the source areas like Bihar and Jharkhand have become bad especially in terms of economy. Schools were closed, children were free, parents didn't have money and funds so many of them had taken loans from money lenders and in this situation traffickers felt that children can also be sent for work and earning money, said, Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director, Bachpan Bachao Andolan.  

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BBA has rescued more than 9,000 trafficked children and aided agencies in arresting 260 traffickers from trains, buses and factories since the beginning of the pandemic. And this has been largely possible due to Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation's (KSCF) unique survivor-led intelligence network spread across high-risk districts.

Survivor leaders act as Satyarthi Movement's eyes and ears on the ground and pass on real-time information to the agencies concerned and respective state teams for a crackdown on traffickers.

Also Read: 10-Year-Old Girl Drugged And Raped By Neighbour In Delhi, Bachpan Bachao Andolan Helps The Girl Fight For Justice

Explaining the workflow of survivor-led intelligence network, Rakesh Senger, Executive Director, Bal Mitra Mandal, KSCF, said,

This network is run by trafficking survivors. This network works in areas which are majorly trafficking hotspots. They collect information from their sources in the village and inform our offices in the state or a district. On that basis, if a trafficker is taking children on a train, or a bus or any private vehicle, they pass on the information to us.

Every eight minutes, a child goes missing in India. Millions of missing children may have been trafficked and end up in forced labour, slavery, and sex work.

Also Read: 14-year-old Sucked Into A Dark Web Of Rape And Sexual Abuse, Trafficker Out On Bail

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