Police crack down on dubious placement agencies in capital ~ Bridal Slaves Rescue & Restore campaign

EMPOWER PEOPLE is an NGO in India working to protect female victims of violence and mitigate post-violence trauma. EMPOWER PEOPLE is one of the pioneer organizations focusing on the issue of human trafficking for the purpose of forced marriage.

What is also called "bride trafficking" affects a yet unknown number of girls, particularly from poor backgrounds, who are deceived and trafficked to be sold as brides. According to information gathered by EMPOWER PEOPLE, a middleman seeks an agreement on an arranged marriage with the family of the girls. Later those girls are transferred to another places where there is a high demand of brides, like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan where they are known as "Paro" or "Molki" (literally perched woman).

The main focus of EMPOWER PEOPLE lies on awareness raising and sensitization trainings for law enforcement agencies. The organization is also offering direct victim support and assistance to women vulnerable to human trafficking and domestic violence.

EMPOWER PEOPLE is currently developing projects of community engagement and rehabilitation of trafficking victims in both source and destination areas in seven states of India.

Visit www.empowerpeople.org.in

Police crack down on dubious placement agencies in capital

New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Twenty four women and five minor girls, have been rescued from dubious placement agencies across the city during search operations, police said today. On Tuesday, nine rescue teams comprising the Sub Divisional Magistrate, labour department officials and Delhi police carried out rescue operations at these offices in North West and South Delhi. Most of the rescued women hail from Assam and West Bengal and one of them was found to be 6 months pregnant, claimed officials. The women claimed they had come to the capital after they were promised lucrative jobs by these agencies, but most of them were forced into flesh trade.