Chennai: “Human trafficking is a serious issue in the country but the youth are unaware”, said P. M. Nair, retired IPS officer, whose brainchild is the Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) club. Twelve colleges in the city will now have the AHT club to elevate human trafficking issues to public discourse and to combat such violations.
Believing in the power of the youth was the motivation, said Nair, speaking to Deccan Chronicle.
“Nowadays everything is electronic and so have illicit activities like organ trade, child pornography, and prostitution. Earlier you would know where a brothel is, but now, your next door could be one but you might be unaware,” he said, adding “since the youth are online, it would help to tap their skill sets.”
Such clubs already exist in Kerala, Karnataka, Meerut and even in some of the IITs, a similar model has been implemented in the state in an organised matter, believes Nair hoping to bring awareness and social responsibility boys just as much as girls.
The launch of the programme, to commemorate the 70th International Human Rights Day, to be observed on December 10, took place at the Madras School of Social Work (MSSW). The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) spearheaded the initiative, in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM) and Madras School of Social Work.
The partnership with IJM began as they were invited to conduct a certificate course along with MSSW on ‘Human Rights and Human Trafficking.’
Since awareness is the first step towards change, the clubs will focus on educating youngsters. “AHT clubs in colleges will also have a police personnel from the local anti-human trafficking unit, to mentor the children about trends in trafficking. A professor from the same college will be in charge of planning out activities and a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) will guide the students,” said Solomon, a social worker from the International Justice Mission (IJM).
“It is known that women are the most targeted group among traffickers, especially by capitalising their vulnerability,” Solomon says, adding that “the club will be made aware of this and will also be taught from the perspective of the vulnerable person. It will be an entirely rights-based and rights-oriented approach.”
