Deconstructing the Myth of Women Who Have Been Forced into Sex Trafficking in India

Abstract

Trafficking of Women in India is a grave issue that has affected millions of women and girls, and the numbers have only been increasing daily. With more frequent occurrences of natural calamities and global pandemics like COVID-19, people from marginalized communities have become more vulnerable alongside the increasing cases of trafficking and exploitation of women post-pandemic period. Traffickers are increasingly expanding their avenues in establishing connections with vulnerable and marginalized people, especially from rural areas prone to the vagaries of nature and where economic opportunity is abysmal; most often, traffickers take to different roles to lure unsuspecting potential victims like posing as agents in the name of providing good jobs in large and metropolitan cities. Despite the seriousness of the issue, the majority of the masses mostly remain uninformed or prefer to stay aloof from it due to the issue being a topic of taboo. The paper shall attempt to deconstruct several myths and hearsay surrounding forced sex trafficking in India as a crucial step in addressing this multifaceted dimension of the problem of sex trafficking. It focuses on socioeconomic vulnerabilities, psychological coercion, social stigmatization, and limited choices that often propel women into the sex industry. The article has been framed to bring insights into the nuances and challenges faced by women; it highlights the importance of trauma-informed care, education, community awareness, and collaborative efforts in social work interventions. The integration of these holistic approaches is necessary to realize the goal of breaking the cycle of exploitation, with an aim to offer the victims an opportunity to reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives. The paper is based on the study of women trafficked from rural hinterlands of Indian subcontinents for sexual exploitation to various metropolitan cities of India. It attempts to comprehend the intricacies of their life and the complex nature of the problems they face through the continuum of source-transit-destination of trafficking syndicates.