India-27th Session May 2017-Sexual exploitation / slavery

Para 49) Number of schemes focusing on rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation of victims of trafficking have been instituted by the Government of India. The Shakti Sadan component under Mission Shakti provides shelter, food, clothing health as well as economic and social security for women victims of difficult circumstances. It also provides for prevention of trafficking, rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. NALSA (Victim of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation) Scheme provides legal assistance to the victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation at the time of rescue and thereafter during trial. There are 464 projects, including 107 Protective and Rehabilitative Homes for victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation that have been established in the country. 18,116 women had benefitted from the scheme till March 2021. Para 114) India is committed to continue its efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation, corporal punishment, child marriage, and child labour and to support child victims of sexual offences. Para 115) The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 was amended in 2019 to further protect children from offences such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, cybercrime and pornography. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Rules, 2020 (POCSO Rules) were also notified to effectively implement the amended provisions. Para 116) The Government introduced a scheme in 2019 to set up 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including 389 exclusive POCSO Courts across the nation for time bound completion of trials relating to sexual offences. As of May 2022, 726 Fast Special Track Courts and 408 e-POCSO Courts have become functional. The Central Bureau of Investigation has joined the international child sexual exploitation database of INTERPOL to bolster its fight against sex abuse of minors and help in identification of victims and abusers.