Manual for Training Police on Anti Human Trafficking

<strong>Manual</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Training</strong> <strong>Police</strong> on Anti Human Trafficking 52
Introduction
Some comments heard during the rescue such as ‘these women are so aggressive and they will never
change’, ‘these girls are no longer fit to be part of any decent society and will corrupt other good girls
too’, etc. reflect the negative social perception against the victims/survivors of trafficking.
Survivors in their state of vulnerability and risk, exhibit a behavioural pattern that can be easily
misunderstood by those who do not really understand the pressures faced by the survivor. It is important
to keep the following in mind:
Most trafficked survivors usually have no idea what they are getting themselves into until they
have actually been <strong>for</strong>ced into the <strong>for</strong>m of exploitation.
Once they realize the reality of their predicaments, they may try to resist but are ‘broken’ to
accept their circumstances. As part of their initiation into the new life they may undergo a total
change of identity, acquiring new names, family backgrounds and place of origin. Initiation into
CSE also marks the beginning of a life marked by ill treatment, oppression and indebtedness.
Eventually they are caught in a vicious cycle and end up surrendering to the situation. The impact
of these multiple trauma on a survivor is unfathomable. The sense of rejection, betrayal and
numbness that a survivor goes through is beyond comprehension.
The combined impact of such a displacement, and total lack of identity is mind numbing. In case
of trafficking <strong>for</strong> CSE, survivors are also <strong>for</strong>ced to learn to get used to drugs and alcohol. Another
reality of their existence is their susceptibility to becoming infected with all kinds of sexually
transmitted diseases including HIV-AIDS.
This results in developing defense mechanisms to survive ranging from showing aggressive behaviour
to identifying with the offender to even shielding their violators or becoming the ‘exploiters’
themselves, and in turn, perpetuating the cycle.
There<strong>for</strong>e an insensitive comment, behaviour or attitude of a law en<strong>for</strong>cing personnel and/or a caregiver
can add to this cycle of exploitation and victimization and thus it is of utmost importance to be
sensitive to the unwillingness of the trafficked person to repose their faith/trust in their rescuer.
The psycho-social impact of trafficking is so deeply felt, that both social stigma and deceit/manipulation
of traffickers in particular can lead the survivors to believe that they are in fact responsible <strong>for</strong> their
own misery. The perpetual cycle of betrayal and harm that is inherent to trafficking fosters a deep sense
of suspicion and a constant defence mode in the trafficked person and he/she can perceive the process
of rescue and post rescue as threatening and traumatic.
The first response to the trafficked person there<strong>for</strong>e becomes that much more significant 36 . The victim’s
rights must always be ensured at each stage of the survivor/police interface. Therein lies the importance
of the need <strong>for</strong> bringing about a change in the attitudes and behaviour of police personnel to ensure the
survivor finds an effective support system that is worthy of their trust.
In this section it is important to do participatory interactive activities with the participants to help
build clarity on dos and don’ts of survivor/police interface. It is important to stress and encourage
sensitive behaviour among participants and not merely point out problem areas.
You may want to begin with the following role play to set the stage <strong>for</strong> interaction.