Why?

The issues we are addressing are prevalent in many countries, but in India, the challenges are particularly severe, with millions of children affected each year. The social support systems in countries like India are more limited compared to those in the US, making it crucial to provide much-needed support. Here are some concerning statistics:

 

  •  According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), eight children are trafficked every day in India for various purposes, including labor, begging, and sexual exploitation.
  •  The rate of trafficking rose by 68% after the pandemic.
  • Cases often go unreported due to a lack of awareness about trafficking methods, reluctance to seek police assistance, and socio-economic hardships.
  • One child goes missing every eight minutes in India, with millions ending up in domestic slavery, sex work, and forced labor.
  • Some states have not established funds to compensate victims.
  • With 472 million children in India, representing 20% of the global child population, an estimated every second child is exposed to sexual abuse and violence.
  • The NCRB reports that a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes, with 53% of children reporting abuse by a parent, relative, or schoolteacher.
  • In high-income countries, the prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) is 20% for females and 8% for males. In India, estimates vary between 4% to 66% for females and 4% to 57% for males.
  • A study in Kerala revealed that 35% of boys and 36% of girls under 18 have experienced some form of sexual abuse during childhood, with children aged 5 to 12 years being most vulnerable.
  • Aradhana Singh, head of the anti-human trafficking unit in the Khundi district, stated that police often lack both the funding and the motivation to combat trafficking effectively and view it as impoverished children migrating for better opportunities, rather than as a crime.
  • With insufficient government investments, bureaucratic red tape, restrictions on NGO donations, and widespread corruption, the safety of children in India remains a major concern.

The worst part is:

  • This data only includes confirmed cases of trafficking, which does NOT account for missing children.