Policy and legislation 

According to the WBHRC, the prevailing policies, which are otherwise sufficient, can be improved if:

• The Regional policies are implemented as a part of the National Policy, so that the former duly rectifies any gaps in the latter.    

    Prevention 

The Department participates in periodic seminars and workshops on trafficking. The methods learnt and knowledge acquired from these is then put into practice. For example they try to draw the attention of the Centre to the growing problem of trafficking in West Bengal. They also sensitise the vulnerable communities on the vices of trafficking. Women’s empowerment camps are held and the importance of educating the girl child is stressed. Self-employment techniques are also stressed upon so that the financial condition of the people improves and they become less susceptible to trafficking.

   Interception 

The police make the interception efforts. However, the police and the Government officials work in tandem in maintaining the flow of information. 

    Rescue 

The Police Department conducts the rescue operations. 

      Rehabilitation 

The State Government runs three Shelter Homes and 16 Juvenile Homes (under Juvenile Justice Act), besides the after care home (Beharampur), the rescue home (Howrah) and Sukanya (Salt Lake, Kolkata) for the rehabilitation of the trafficked victims.

  The Rescue Home at Howrah has three homes under its auspices:

·        Rescue Home: The women and children rescued from trafficking and brothels are brought here.

·        Observation Home: The children (below 18 years) are kept in this Home while their cases remain     pending.

·        Special Home: Trafficked victims are brought here after being released from the Rescue Home.  

Besides catering to the basic needs of the inmates like food, clothes and lodging, they are also counselled so that they can recover from the trauma caused by their experiences. Efforts are made to reintegrate them with their families with the help of NGOs.  

Facilities Available at the Homes:

a.     Shelter Homes: Food, Lodging, Counselling, Education – both basic and non-academic, course on crafts and legal aid.

b.     Rehabilitation Centres: Vocational training, education and job counselling besides providing food and lodging facilities.

c.     Juvenile Homes: Food, clothes, basic toiletries like soaps and toothpaste and basic education. 

Criteria for Funding NGOs

The various criterion for funding NGOs in West Bengal are as follows:

• The NGO should be registered and functional for three years from the date of implementation of the program.
• Has to provide the audit report of the last three years.
• Should have proper work experience.
• Must have a registered office or a branch office in the project implementation area.
• District Administrators should verify the NGOs.
• Related department should recommend the NGO. 

    Networking

The Government officials maintain a wide network with the Police, the NGOs, tourism organizations and service organizations. With the police officials, the Government facilitates interception and rescue. The local NGOs keep them abreast of the law and order situation in their area of operation. Moreover, the rescued victims are sent to the short stay homes and Juvenile Homes run by the NGOs and therefore a network is constantly maintained. The Government officials in collaboration with the NGOs hold awareness Camps on HIV/ AIDS as well as health check camps etc..

The Government Officials at the District level maintain a network with the GRP and RPF officials too. Whenever somebody is booked under ITPA, the State Government is immediately informed and the victims are brought to the various Homes run by them. The Tourism Organizations are sensitized on the vulnerability of the hotels and inns being used as dens for prostitution. The also network with service organizations like Nehru Yuva Kendra in order to avail of  their services on youth development and empowerment.

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