RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN The Action Research, in particular, would also cover the metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad, which are the demand areas. 7.4 Given the character of the Action Research, information is being collected from the victims of trafficking as well, especially those who have been rescued and those who are still in situations of exploitation, such as prostitutes, bonded labourers, child labourers, beggars, etc. The source areas for this information are rescue homes, red light areas, night shelters, juvenile homes and the like. Women and children in mental homes and protective homes are particularly vulnerable to sexual and other forms of exploitation. The research is also expected to look into other aspects of trafficking, including trafficking for purposes such as slavery, servitude, camel racing, etc. Further, the research is looking into the health dimensions of trafficking, particularly the risk of HIV/ AIDS, and the resultant lowering of the age at which children are being trafficked. 7.5 To begin with, a one-day Technical Consultation for the National Level Action Research on Trafficking in Women and Children was held at the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi on 9 October 2001. This Consultation focused on the methodology of the Action Research. 7.6 Thereafter, 11 Consultation Meetings/Workshops have been organized in different parts of the country, involving all stakeholders, viz, the local NGOs, the police, government officials and others, with a view to identifying local issues and sensitizing them about the problem of trafficking as well as to facilitate the research initiated by the Commission. The response has been excellent. The nodal officer of the Commission has also addressed several police training programmes in different States to create awareness among the police on trafficking offences. 7.7 A valuable consequence of the Action Research has been the creating of a network of nodal officers on trafficking involving all the States / Union Territories in the country. Two nodal officers have been nominated by each State Government / Union Territory, one representing the Police Department who deals with investigation, detection, prosecution and prevention of trafficking and the other representing the welfare agencies dealing with rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and economic / social empowerment of the victims and prospective victims. ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 ... ... 87 ... ... ..