International Journal for Equity in Health
Volume 7, 2008

Sexual slavery without borders: Trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in India (Review) (Open Access)

Joffres C.* , Mills E. , Joffres M. , Khanna T. , Walia H. , Grund D.
  • a Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
  • b Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
  • c Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
  • d Bihar Anti-trafficking Resource, Centre Apne Aap Women Worldwide, Jagdish Mills Compound, Forbesganj, Araria, Bihar 841235, India
  • e Technical Support - Child Protection, GOI (MWCD)/UNICEF, 253/A Wing - Shastri Bhavan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Marg, New Delhi:110001, India
  • f Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Blusson Hall, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada

Abstract

Trafficking in women and children is a gross violation of human rights. However, this does not prevent an estimated 800 000 women and children to be trafficked each year across international borders. Eighty per cent of trafficked persons end in forced sex work. India has been identified as one of the Asian countries where trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation has reached alarming levels. While there is a considerable amount of internal trafficking from one state to another or within states, India has also emerged as a international supplier of trafficked women and children to the Gulf States and South East Asia, as well as a destination country for women and girls trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation from Nepal and Bangladesh. Trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is a highly profitable and low risk business that preys on particularly vulnerable populations. This paper presents an overview of the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation (CSE) in India; identifies the health impacts of CSE; and suggest strategies to respond to trafficking and related issues. © 2008 Joffres et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Human immunodeficiency virus infection India human health status human rights abuse sexually transmitted disease Chlamydia gonorrhea female risk factor Review prostitution Syphilis prevalence sexual abuse hepatitis B health hazard acquired immune deficiency syndrome health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-54049086119&doi=10.1186%2f1475-9276-7-22&partnerID=40&md5=fef64bd00ba4aa8181b3d34b16297754
DOI: 10.1186/1475-9276-7-22
ISSN: 14759276
Cited by: 28
Original Language: English