National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPR)  survey revealed on average more than 40 new missing children. who run away from homes or become street kids, are spotted every month across railway stations.Many children are found wandering near the station and are vulnerable to trafficking or bonded labour.

Figures for AP (united) from 2008

Missing              Found

6,941 boys           547

13,152 girls         376

National figures from January 2011 to December 2013

Age group                              Missing

0-5 years                                   79 boys

                                                  63 girls

6-14 years                               451 boys

                                                232 girls

15-18 years                             917 boys

                                              1,449 girls

Currently, united state of Andhra Pradesh, till December 2013, a total of 6,941 boys and 13,152 girls were found missing and of these, just about 547 boys and 376 girls were found. Whereas nationally, from January 2011 to December 2013, 79 boys and 63 girls in the age group of (0-5), 451 boys and 232 girls in the age group of 6-14 and 917 boys 1449 girls in the age group of 15-18 are still missing.

In the last three months, 46 missing cases of children were recorded just from the LB Nagar police station limits.

Mamatha Raghuveer, member, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights said, “Many children who are rescued from railway stations are immediately taken to an NGO, shelter home or are put in the state home for boys or girls. Some find it difficult to recall their whereabouts and end up living at the home for many years. In other cases, they run away from the remand homes. Sometimes even if we take all effort and accompany them as escorts to back home, their parents refuse to acknowledge them and as a result, the children have to come back to the home. Hence, the number of missing children is always increasing and railway stations create an ideal hideout.”

She also mentioned that there is a need to develop a separate structure at the railway stations.

“As part of the survey, NCPCR issued guidelines across railway stations to appoint a help desk for such complaints headed by a nodal officer to facilitate in addressing these complaints,” Ms Mamatha said.

There are also plans to associate NGOs that work on similar issues with the website and help update data of missing children regularly.

“There are many NGOs that work for these kids. It is important to take the data available from them and put them up on the website, so that it gets convenient for parents to locate their missing children,” said Achyuta Rao, member, SCPCR.

Well Structured system, updated data of missing children is important for effective addressal of missing  children and even experts like Mamatha Raghuveer, Achyuta Rao believes it. Lets hope for the better society by using technologies, be safe... 

( Ref: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140616/nation-current-affairs/article/new-plans-help-missing-children)

1 Real: The Other Side of the Coin, a documentary to create awareness about human trafficking

40,000 children disappear in Brazil each year, roughly 15 percent of these cases going unsolved, these children are gone forever. Human trafficking, often targeting vulnerable children at the biggest international sporting events like World cup.

The human trafficking “industry” produces 32 billion dollars yearly, mainly from sexual exploitation. Most of those who enter the trade are inclined to do so due to poverty and financial hardships. Families often push their children, regardless of their age, into sex trafficking as a means to generate income.

Bill Horan, president of the Operational Blessing International (OBI), a non-profit humanitarian organization is currently making efforts to bring awareness and fight human trafficking in Brazil. They are using their documentary 1 Real, as a means to achieve their goal.

OBI, providing food and “Hope Bags” to the girls in the red light districts so they may become aware of where they can seek help. Also, OBI is distributing thousands of stickers and red card flyers that referees use in soccer, with the phrase “No to sexual exploitation,” and a phone number to report such crimes.

Read more at http://guardianlv.com/2014/06/human-trafficking-world-cup/#Bl9b51AUroihbA8d.99

Rise of human trafficking cases around FIFA World Cup

Brazil, known for its beautiful women has one of the worst records in the world when it comes to child exploitation and sex exploitation.

Sex with girls and boys under 18 is a crime, but anywhere from 250,000 to half a million adolescents, almost all of them poor, sell their bodies.

Sex tourism is blatantly encouraged in Brazil. Hotels and taxis are part of a network that connects prospective clients with women, and often young girls. some sex workers were taking English classes in order to negotiate better. Some taxi drivers, have a menu of girls

A Victim says," Parents even encourage it. "It is not about the age it is about the figure, if they look like a woman, OK, it is time for them to start."

Brazil says it has rolled out an information campaign with pamphlets, and posters in English and Portuguese warning about sex exploitation at airports and ports,

In this World Cup, those who try to protect children are working overtime ,to create a protective environment." Along with the campaign, social working, an innovative system to fight against trafficking is needed for Brazil government", says experts.

(Ref: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/world-cup-sexy-brazil-sees-explosion-in-teen-prostitutes-1.2678812 )

Athletic events have become a commonplace for Human Trafficking

Now a days, Athletic events have become a commonplace for human right abuses and sexual exploitation. Events like Super Bowl, Olympics etc has already proven increase in trafficking. South Africa during the 2010 World Cup, estimates indicated about 100,000 people might have fallen prey to the schemes of traffickers.

The similar trend was expected from 2014 super bowl as well, experts says.

As an estimated 600,000 fans descend on host-country Brazil, so will thousands of pimps and traffickers with their victims.

In Brazil, many girls have gone missing in recent months—a number so high, authorities are unable to keep count. They are believed to have been trafficked to host-cities such as Salvador and Cuiaba, with police reports of crime gangs offering girls as “available” for football fans.

The majority of the girls come from extreme poverty, girls between the ages of 11 and 14, where vulnerable. These girls have been introduced to cocaine and “glue-sniffing,” to stave off the physical pain of sexual violence and hunger, laying the foundation for addiction that only further entangles them in the sex industry’s grip.

Until and unless the government stands against this issues, the trafficking will continue as the games proceed

Experts believe that the Brazilian government, with assistance from systems (with latest technology), awareness programs, and trainings help them to crack down the unstable issue like human trafficking.

(Ref: http://www.worldpolicy.org/blog/2014/06/17/sex-trafficking-sullies-world-cup )

Child Prostitutes Sell Sex For A Pack Of Cigarettes Or A During The World Cup

As fans flood Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, the demand for one of the country’s darkest crimes is expected to rise.

 

The risk of child exploitation increased by 30 to 40 percent during the World Cups in Germany in 2006 and South Africa in 2010, CBS News reported. Experts expect to see a similar trend in Brazil during this world cup.

Brazil, an estimated 600,000 people are set to descend upon Brazil for the celebrated sporting event. But for many soccer fans it’s not just the competition that’s drawing them in, it’s the accessibility of child prostitutes.

An estimated 250,000 children who are involved in prostitution in Brazil, according to the U.S. State Department.

Desperate girls, as young as 10 years old, come from extreme poverty, with nowhere to turn see the World Cup as an auspicious money-making opportunity because of the influx of men to the area. These child prostitutes are selling their bodies for quick cash.

Brazilian government to get control over situation, they allocated 8 million reais, awareness program by going hands with A21 Campaign.

Researchers believe that a coordinated operation plan would help in the effective addressal of the malady to address the causes in addition to the effects. Let’s wish this would make a Trafficking- Free world with Freedom to the Child and Women.

(Ref: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/12/world-cup-child-prostitution_n_5474716.html)

During Brazil's World Cup, Nuns To Tackle Human Trafficking, Child Prostitution.

A campaign was announced against child prostitution during the World Cup.

Sister Gabriella Bottani, an Italian nun who is an organizer of the coalition involving 240 religious congregations from 79 countries. She said "In Brazil, our greatest concern is linked to the increase in the exploitation of child prostitution."

She said international sporting events attract human traffickers, who trick job-seekers into slave labor and also kidnap children for illegal adoptions or forced begging.

Bottani said the risk of child exploitation grew 30 percent to 40 percent during the World Cups in Germany in 2006 and South Africa in 2010, and would be likely to spike again during the monthlong tournament starting June 12 in Brazil.

The campaign titled "Play For Life, Report Trafficking" will involve nuns and others handing out leaflets at airports and key tourist areas in Brazil encouraging people to report suspected child prostitution or enslavement to police.

"Without awareness, without acting together in favor of human dignity, the World Cup finals may turn out to be a terrible shame instead of a feast for humanity," said Sister Carmen Sammut, president of the International Union of Superiors General, another of the member organizations.

Experts say that any major sporting events usually lead to such a spike. To help make a meaningful difference, technology, awareness program at right time and right place are needed.

(ref: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2014/05/21/nuns-to-tackle-human-trafficking-child-prostitution-during-brazil-world-cup/)

During World Cup, Human trafficking and sexual exploitation potentially problematic

On 12^th June, World Cup had begun in Brazil. Since Brazil is a large source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor, the A21 Campaign hopes to raise awareness for victims of human trafficking there.

Brazil hopes to attract more than half a million fans for this summer's World Cup and take in billions of tourism dollars. The U.S. State Department lists Brazil as a "tier 2" country for human trafficking. In Brazil greatest concern is linked to the increase in the Child sex tourists, particularly in resort and coastal areas in Brazil's northeast.

A21 started the "It's A Penalty" campaign ahead of the 2014 World Cup in an attempt to protect the especially vulnerable street children of Brazil who are taken as young children and groomed for prostitution on the streets.

The nature and extent of trafficking in persons in Brazil is difficult to determine. However, A21 partnering with leaders in the United Kingdom to bring a significant difference at this World Cup.

According to researchers, to tackle these issues a sustainable approach which includes new technology that effectively monitors the human trafficking and sexual exploitation needed.

Minnesota expect to be a perfect storm for human trafficking during 2018 Super Bowl

Super Bowl LII will be held in February 2018 at Vikings Stadium in Minneapolis. Football fans are likely excited. But, in all this excitement, there is something to think about, and that is Human Trafficking.

According to a Fox News report, FBI officials said that at the 2014 Super Bowl, 16 children as young as 13 were rescued and more than 45 pimps were arrested. Some of those arrested openly admitted that they traveled to New Jersey, where the 2014 Super Bowl was held, for the purpose of financial gain by forcing children and women to indulge in sexual activity with those who attending the Super Bowl.

According to the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, the FBI has ranked the Twin Cities as one of 13 cities in the U.S. with a high incidence rate of child prostitution.

Experts say human trafficking happened in New Jersey 2014 super Bowl, why not human trafficking around future Minnesota 2018 Super Bowl. The Department as a forefront of the fight against trafficking, address human trafficking effectively by adopting new technologies.

With the support of the technology, hope the department can crack down human trafficking.

Against Human Trafficking and to protect the victims, Governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal signed four bills

9^th June 2014, Louisiana- Jindal signed into law four pieces to crack down human traffickers, governor signed bills in front of legislators, law enforcement representatives and representatives of anti-human trafficking groups.

Governor joined hands with several organizations like A21 Campaign, it is an international organization that works to fight human trafficking, to protect victims and raise awareness about its underground nature.

The new laws create harsher punishments for those convicted of human trafficking, Penalties for those convicted of purchase of commercial sexual activity are increased with the new laws. A first conviction can result in six months in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense tops out at a $250 fine and up to two years in jail and a third conviction comes with up to $500 in fines and two to four years in jail. If the victim is under 18 years old, the perpetrator faces up to a $50,000 fine and 15 to 50 years in jail. If the victim is under 14, the fine increases to $75,000 maximum and 25 to 50 years in jail.

Governor also placed $250,000 in the state budget to develop and implement a human trafficking training course at the police academy for new recruits and to annually train existing police officers in how to recognize and deal with victims of human trafficking.

These map only reflect cases in which the location of the potential trafficking was known. Some cases may involve more than one location and are not reflected in this map

According to experts, more efforts are required to detection and preventive measures to fight human trafficking and along with the training, an intelligent based approach which effectively crack down the human trafficking is needed, let’s hope technology will be used by several organisations like A21 Campaign to address human trafficking effectively and drastically cases reflected on map reduces.

Around 589 trafficked kids were rescued from Kerala

On 28^th may 2014, the incident had a state wise attention; approximately 600 students were brought to kerala from Bihar, Bengal and Jharkhand. The children were victims of child trafficking, Jharkhand officials confirmed.

The racket was busted by the Railway Police as the children arrived at Palakkad station, kerala. Poor children from the minority communities from eastern states were brought to Kerala orphanages in an attempt to provide better education and nutritious food to them. However, Jharkhand officials stated that food and education are free at their home states. 

The adults who accompanied children were found to have no valid document for taking the children from the home state and they could not produce any document to support their claim.

State general secretary K.P.A. Majeed said: “Attempts to describe it as trafficking of children should be viewed as highly motivated with ulterior intentions.”

Collector added, "We are trying to trace where the children were actually being taken."

Until unless the issue is resolved, the children will be taken care by the government.

In such a situation, Researchers believe that a coordinated operation plan, exemplary tracking system would help in addressing the problem and the causes. Let’s wish this would make a Trafficking- Free world with Freedom to the Child.