NCPCR offers support to campaign against child trafficking

New Delhi, Aug 12 (PTI) The National Commission for
Protection of Child Rights on Friday expressed hope that the
Bill on Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, currently
in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament), will be passed
quickly.
Offering support to a global campaign against child
trafficking, NCPCR chairperson Shantha Sinha said the
Commission has been "burdened" by the voices of three lakh
Indians who have petitioned on child trafficking.
"It is a shame that children are being treated the way
that they are. It is totally unacceptable. These petitions are
a burden on the Commission and they are nudging us to wake up
and complete our work," she told reporters here.
Sinha expressed hope that the Protection of Children from
Sexual Offences Bill, 2011 will be passed by Parliament at the
earliest.
While the Bill has legalised consensual sex with a person
aged between 16-18 years, it has to be considered whether the
consent for such act has been obtained by use of violence,
force, intoxicants, drugs and deceit.
This law will cover all new aspects of sexual offences
against children not covered by any other existing law.
The petitions have been collected by the Body Shop as
part of its "Stop Sex Trafficking" campaign through which more
than three lakh people across 30 Indian cities have pledged to
stand up against child trafficking and sexual abuse.
"Our forte is awareness creation and we have raised ten
lakh pounds in charity for our global signature campaign that
will make people understand the cause of child trafficking and
come out in its support," Shriti Malhotra, the Chief Operating
Officer for Body Shop India said.
All petitions in 65 countries, that have been collected
through the campaign will be presented to the United Nations
by the end of this year.
The Body Shop petition handed over to the NCPCR, also
calls for integration of a module on trafficking in the school
curriculum, strengthening of toll free helplines and
establishment of shelters for child victims.
However, other non-government organisations that have
been a part of this campaign, have slammed the government on
the lack of proper implementation of laws and schemes on
trafficking.
"When it comes to rehabilitation of children, there are
lots of schemes, laws and resources but there is no
implementation," Roma Debabrata, President of STOP (Stop
Trafficking and Oppression of Children and Women) said.
She also said she had rescued and rehabilitated 60 girls,
without receiving any grants from the government.
"I have 60 children, no building for my NGO and I have
never received any funds from the government. I do not know
how I will feed my children tomorrow," she added.