¾ Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111)-Ratified, Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Ratified. India has also signed SAARC Convention on preventing and combating trafficking in women and children for prostitution. 2. Role of Police The trafficking in women and children assumes wider and complex dimensions (both in the context of intra and inter country trafficking) due to the involvement of transnational organized criminal groups. In many cases, victims are afraid to cooperate with the police for fear of reprisal from traffickers or for fear of being returned home, where they could face alienation, abuse or further violence. Police can however, play a very effective role in preventing and addressing the issues related to trafficking. Reports from two states majorly affected by trafficking are worth citing here: a) Karnataka The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has acknowledged the proactive action taken by the Bangalore police in preventing trafficking of children, and documented the role of the city police in starting the first child helpline, much before the National Child Line 1098 came into existence. Fifteen-year-old Pinky was rescued by the Cottonpet police from a dance bar in Bangalore. A 10-year-old domestic help was rescued from an apartment in HSR Layout. These two and many more children and adolescent girls were rescued by the Bangalore police through the novel initiative MSV.23 MSV strives to help children realise their rights and empower them to be their own first line of defence. They do this by providing education, health care and training in market-viable vocational courses.24 b) Andhra Pradesh In a significant effort to prevent trade and exploitation of human beings in India, an Anti-Human Trafficking Unit was established in Andhra 23 Bangalore Police Initiative in Preventing Human Trafficking – Makkala Sahai Vani (MSV): Child help line by Police with NGO support. 24 Deccan Herald, 19th Oct, 2007 Manual on Human Rights for Police Officers 41