Childhood lost

About 15 per cent of commercial sex workers in India are below 15 and 25 per cent are between 15 and 18.

• Dalit freedom groups claim most of those trafficked for sex are Dalits.
• About 10 per cent of the trafficked children come from neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
• Nepalese insurgents are reportedly trafficking girls to Indian brothels.
•  A recent study by California-based NGO Not For Sale says that up to 95 per cent of female victims in rehabilitation programmes in New Delhi are not given education, life skills or job training, forcing many into their original state of vulnerability.
• About 15 per cent of commercial sex workers in India are below 15 and 25 per cent are between 15 and 18.
•  Delhi-based NGO Shakti Vahini says that every year thousands of girls in north India are sold for involuntary marriage.
•  Anti-poverty agency Action Aid says victims of the Uttarakhand floods last year are especially vulnerable to trafficking because of mass displacement and loss of livelihood.
• About $19 billion is generated worldwide through child trafficking annually.