...... 74 RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN leading speakers on the occasion. Ms. Sudha Shrotriya, Director, Dr. Savita Bhakhry, Senior Research Officer and Shri P.M. Nair, NHRC’s Nodal Officer for Action Research on Trafficking in Women and Children were the other participants from the NHRC, in the Workshop. 7.12 Some of the important points and suggestions that emerged from the workshop were as follows –
There was need to have a national database (intra and inter-state) and a quick – response tracing mechanism and coordinating structure for missing children and women within the police system to prevent trafficking.
A specialised anti-trafficking structure within the police set-up at the Central, State, district and taluka levels should be established in order to deal with the issue of trafficking (including cross-border and inter-state), rescue, recovery of personal belongings, repatriation, etc. along the lines of structures set up within the police to deal with trafficking of drugs, smuggling of antiques, wild life poaching, etc.
There was need to look afresh into the following sections of Immoral Traffic Prevention Act – 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13(3)(b), 14(ii), 17(5), 18, 20, 22-A & 22-AA – as there are gaps in their implementation.
There was need to revise/amend State rules relating to ITPA as the same have been in existence ever since the Act was first passed in 1956.
There was need to provide sufficient number of Short Stay Homes/Protective Homes/ Shelter Homes at Taluka and district levels whereby any women who is in moral danger could approach these homes for a safe and secure shelter.
The Government should appoint trained social workers at police stations, courts and rehabilitation homes for the purpose of counselling, information and guidance and rehabilitation.
There should be Inter-Departmental Coordination structure set up to facilitate and monitor the process of rescue and rehabilitation at the district level, and Advisory Bodies at Central and State levels to monitor trafficking, impediments in implementation of ITPA and other provisions, rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims.
Training organisations at Central and State level should focus on sensitisation, dissemination of knowledge and training of ground level staff of the police, judiciary and women and child welfare departments. The objective behind this should be to develop personnel who has full knowledge of the correct legal framework and are aware of issues related to rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration. The training institutions could take the help of field-based organisation to achieve this purpose. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION