Human trafficking remains a deeply complex issue that exploits economic and social vulnerabilities, impacting countless lives across India. Unfortunately, the systems intended to prevent trafficking and support survivors often face challenges in ensuring comprehensive accountability and enabling effective rehabilitation. Addressing these gaps, particularly in the context of socio-economic empowerment for survivors, requires ongoing collaboration among all stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society organizations, and survivor-led initiatives.

While there are laws like the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA), they are not fully survivor-centric. For any substantial change to take place, a collaborative effort between key stakeholders—including the Government, civil society, and survivors themselves—is essential.

For far too long, anti-trafficking interventions have been designed with minimal input from those most affected—survivors. In response, over 2,814 survivors of various forms of human trafficking across India have united to form the “Integrated Leaders Forum Against Trafficking” (ILFAT), a national platform to amplify their voices and share their perspectives with policymakers, implementers, media, and stakeholders across the anti-trafficking ecosystem.