Trafficking victims urge govt to introduce ITPA Bill

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Vimukhti, a network of victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking across Andhra Pradesh, today urged the government to immediately introduce the long pending Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Amendment Bill.

Vimukthi Convener Radha told a news conference that ''commodification'' of women must be stopped and the trafficking victims rehabilitated.

''We want the new law... it will help us secure our future and it must be done at the earliest. Those who oppose the bill have a hidden agenda,'' she added.

Criticising those who oppose the bill, Radha, herself a victim, said 80 per cent of women were forced to be commercial sex workers.

She said hundreds of girls were trafficked daily for this purpose from Andhra Pradesh.

Prasanna, Vimukthi executive member, argued that all NGOs which were opposing the bill, were turning a blind eye towards the victims.

''They are unable see the trauma a victim goes through...Their arguments are based on what client, broker, and pimps want,'' he added.

Vimukhti members demanded that the government pay compensation to trafficking victims and bring amendment to the existing laws to punish clients.

Awareness campaigns must be initiated to sensitise each family and each state on the rights of women and children and gender equality, they added.

They said steps must be taken to enable the victims to join the mainstream with dignity.

''Special care must be taken about the HIV-infected people and protective measures and support should be made accessible to the victims in sufficient measure,'' they added .

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