17 million victims of human trafficking in India: Bouche

There are about 17 million victims of human trafficking in India and 40.3 million globally, according to an activist working in the field.

"The figures reveal that almost half of the global victims of trafficking are in India," said Vanessa Bouche, a researcher and expert working in the field of human trafficking.

Bouche was speaking to media on the sidelines of a guest lecture onthe topic 'Advancing Freedom with Data' organized by the US Consulate General, Mumbai, and Matru Sewa Sangh Institute of Social Work (MSSISW).

"Human trafficking is most prevalent in states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam and their destinations are large cities. These trafficking is mostly for the purpose of domestic servitude.
 

"Similarly, sex trafficking and for the purpose of marriage because of distorted sex ratio specially in northern India too are common in India," she said.

When asked if Rohingyas from Myanmar may end up being victims of human trafficking, Bouche said "Because they are inherently very vulnerable population, they are absolutely at a greater risk of being trafficked.