Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 12
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sensitivity among the staff, are vital issues that need to be immediately attended to. (Discrepancies
related to age verification have been discussed separately). These problems exacerbate the
violation of rights of the survivors. Therefore, adequate steps have to be initiated by the health
department to deal with these problems on priority basis and with utmost sensitivity. This also
calls for sensitization of the medical professionals on the related issues.
Psycho-social Intervention
The research has shown that trafficked person is under severe emotional strain. The traumatized
victim requires counselling. Trained counsellors are essential in such situations. It would be a
good idea to provide such personnel at every police station by networking with the welfare
department and other agencies like the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB). The police
department could set up Family Counselling Centres (FCC), with trained counsellors in police
stations. The CSWB should extend the facility of FCC to all police stations and enlarge their
scope to counsel the trafficked victims. These counsellors should be given thorough, professional
training before they embark upon counselling. Training programmes for counsellors, like the
one organized by SARTHAK, an NGO in Delhi, could be effectively utilized.
Linkage of Homes with the Police and NGOs
The study shows that lack of linkage of the police with the authorities of ‘homes’ usually causes
severe inconvenience to the latter. In one instance, officials of a rescue home in Delhi were
unprepared to receive large number of rescued persons without adequate notice, especially because
it was late at night. Consequently, there were several complaints of violation of rights of the
trafficked victims. In order to avoid such situations, the police agencies should notify all concerned
in advance, preferably immediately after rescue, about the future programme and likely time of
arrival at the ‘home’ so that these homes can make necessary arrangements. Keeping in view the
best interests of the survivors, there is a need for institutionalizing police linkage with homes and
laying down protocols for such transfers.
Inadequacy in the Existing Homes
The research has brought out the fact that there is acute shortage of manpower, infrastructure
and resources in most of the existing homes. These need to be replenished and augmented,
depending on the requirement. The superintendents should be given powers to cope with
emergencies, especially when large numbers of rescued persons are brought to these homes
without advance notice. Same police officials have even stated that they refrain from carrying
out rescue operations for want of adequate rescue homes where the survivors could be lodged.
This highlights the need for setting up such homes wherever required. Homes set up by NGOs
should be recognized and more NGOs could be facilitated to set up similar homes.
Shortage of CWCs
There is an acute shortage of Child Welfare Committees (under the JJ Act) which can take
charge of the trafficked children. Since CWCs are the competent bodies to take care of the
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