Awareness programme on human trafficking

Voluntary organisation VISWAS to sensitise students

July 04, 2019 11:37 pm | Updated 11:37 pm IST - PALAKKAD

Schoolgirls ending up in flesh trade after being seduced by young lovers are on the increase in the State. A good number of cases go unreported fearing mortification and social ignominy by the parents.

Aghast by the alarming situation, the Victims Information, Sensitisation, Welfare and Assistance Society (VISWAS), a Palakkad-based voluntary organisation offering support to the victims of various excesses and crimes, has come forward to address the issue by creating awareness among higher secondary students and offering training to teachers.

P.M. Nair, former Director General of Police and nodal officer of the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking, will deliver the keynote address at the launch of the VISWAS Suraksha project at Collectorate Conference Hall here on Saturday morning.

“On an average, we get to handle one such case a week in the court. The situation is really alarming. Most cases are going unreported, and the world will never know the victims,” said P. Prem Nath, Senior Assistant Public Prosecutor, who is also secretary of the VISWAS.

Access to social media

Those involved in the fight against human trafficking say that increased use of mobile phones with widespread access to social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook has led to a spurt in the number of adolescent girls eloping with youngsters.

“A large number of them have been found to have ended up in flesh trade. It is high time we rose to fight it through better awareness and guidance,” said Mr. Prem Nath.

Minister for Cultural Affairs A.K. Balan will inaugurate the awareness project named VISWAS Suraksha at 9.30 a.m.

District Collector D. Balamurali, who is president of the VISWAS, will preside over the function. Bodhini official Tara will speak on online sexual assaults.

Mr. Prem Nath will speak on the legal aspects of the issue. District Police Superintendent G. Sivavikram, CBSE regional director Sachin Thakur, and Higher Secondary Deputy Director Snehalata will attend.

At least one higher secondary teacher from one school will be given training initially.

Higher secondary teachers from the district will get training in the morning session. For CBSE teachers, the training will be at 1 p.m.

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