BACKGROUND:
The
dominant anti-trafficking paradigm conflates trafficking and sex work, denying
evidence that most sex workers choose their profession and justifying police
actions that disrupt communities, drive sex workers underground and increase
vulnerability.
METHODS:
We review
an alternative response to combating human trafficking and child prostitution
in the sex trade, the self-regulatory board (SRB) developed by Durbar Mahila
Samanwaya Committee (DMSC, Sonagachi).
RESULTS:
DMSC-led
interventions to remove minors and unwilling women from sex work account for
over 80% of successful 'rescues' reported in West Bengal. From 2009 through
2011, 2195 women and girls were screened by SRBs: 170 (7.7%) minors and 45
(2.1%) unwilling adult women were assisted and followed up. The remaining 90.2%
received counselling, health care and the option to join savings schemes and
other community programmes designed to reduce sex worker vulnerability. Between
1992 and 2011 the proportion of minors in sex work in Sonagachi declined from
25 to 2%.
CONCLUSIONS:
With
its universal surveillance of sex workers entering the profession, attention to
rapid and confidential intervention and case management, and primary prevention
of trafficking-including microcredit and educational programmes for children of
sex workers-the SRB approach stands as a new model of success in
anti-trafficking work.
Below: Number of minors and unwilling adults identified by SRBs, 2001–11
Below: SRB screening, 2009–11; minors, unwilling adults and willing adults
Below: Proportion of minor girls and median age of sex workers in Sonagachi
Below: A cycle of trafficking
1Durbar
Mahila Samanwaya Committee, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
2Community
Health Services, University of Manitoba, Manitoba, Canada.
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