PANAJI: The corporate bodies will be supporting the anti-human trafficking initiatives in the state, including rehabilitation of victims rescued from the human trafficking rackets.

Coming out with this information, the chairperson of the Goa State Women’s Commission (GSWC), Ms Ezilda Sapeco, told the pressmen that the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an apex body of the Goan industries has been requested to be a part of the anti-human trafficking drive.

"The corporate bodies have decided to help the government as well as the NGOs for rehabilitation of such victims," the GSWC chief added, pointing out that the GCCI will play facilitator for interaction between government and the corporate bodies.

She also maintained that the North Goa Collector, Mr Mihir Vardhan had recently come out with an assurance that the government will support any rehabilitation initiative undertaken by the corporate bodies.

Speaking further, Ms Sapeco said that the GSWC has also decided to set up various panels dedicated towards anti-human trafficking activities in Goa.

"The Commission will be forming committees that will comprise of stakeholders like NGOs, government officials, and corporate bodies among others," she noted.

The GSWC chairperson also said that several schemes would be implemented for rescued victims with the help of the department for women and child development.

It was informed that the Commission is closely examining various schemes executed by the government of Andhra Pradesh, including that which provides financial benefit to the trafficked victims.

On a parting note, Ms Sapeco said that inbound human trafficking in Goa was posing a challenge to the law enforcement authorities.

Incidentally, Ms Sapeco recently speaking on the sidelines of a workshop on public-private partnership to combat human trafficking and prevention through skill building and employment opportunities had said that no Goan woman is involved in flesh trade in the state.

"Till date, there is no incidence of Goan women and girls being involved in prostitution," she had mentioned, adding that girls from other states are brought to Goa, and are victims of commercial sexual exploitation here.

As per the statistics, in the year 2009, the police rescued 24 girls from commercial sex activities and put them in the state protective home under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA). Of these 24 girls, five were Goan women. In the year 2010, the police rescued 16 girls, of which 2 were Goans. This year, till date, the police rescued two women, of which one girl is a Goan. Source