In India, 22 people are trafficked every hour. The United Nations says that India is the most dangerous place in the world for a woman or girl. Back in 1998 the average age of those trafficked was 18 and a few years later, 15. Now that average age has dropped to 11-13.
“Trafficking for sex and other purposes has always existed in India, but trafficking children for domestic slavery is a relatively new development,” says HS Phoolka, a senior advocate at India’s supreme court and a human rights lawyer and activist. “This is due to rising demand for domestic maids due to rising income in urban areas and widescale poverty … in rural areas. This trafficking shows the rise of massive inequality in India.” (theguardian.com)
The problem there is growing. There is also a growing recognition of the problem as many ministries and safe houses have been started there to rescue and restore victims. However, the need remains great.
The number of children that are disappearing from remote villages is beginning to cause alarm and while they disappear, the number of "employment placing agencies" is growing. These are known to be a source for supplying "help" to wealthy families.
There is low priority placed on trafficking among law enforcement and there is a lack of funds to address it. There is not alot of fear of consequences for being involved in trafficking crime circles. As a matter of fact, it is projected that it will soon become the #1 criminal enterprise...even over drug trafficking. In poor areas, where traffickers earn alot of money, they have influence and power and it is a very attractive enterprise to become involved in.
Dasra, a Strategic Philanthropy Foundation did a study on trafficking in India and this was a quote from their results (profound and disturbing):
"The reason why sex trafficking persists is straightforward: immense profitability with minimal risk. A net profit margin of over 70 per cent makes sex trafficking one of the most profitable businesses in the world. It is becoming increasingly easy and inexpensive to procure, move and exploit vulnerable girls…Moreover, the average price of a sex act has been decreasing over time…These decreasing prices open up the market to consumers who could not previously afford the service."
(asianphilanthropyforum.org)
This causes me to ponder the moral vacuums in our world that just cause other moral vacuums....the devaluation of humans through the caste system allows people to even operate in this trade without a conscience. Selective sex abortions in India have made it impossible for men to find a bride in several areas of the country causing them (not justifiably) to seek out the services of trafficking...etc.
Pray for the country of India:
- That children from poor areas can obtain an education through many of the services that are being started there.
- Law enforcement where police are given consequences for turning a blind eye.
- Breakdown of the caste system
- The poverty problem
- More ministries (and support for those ministries) that can bring the good news of Christ, which brings value to all people.
sources: www.air1.com, www.thegaurdian.com, www.foxnews.com, www.gvnet.com, www.nytimes.com, www.asianphilanthropyforum.org
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