Innovative approach of training was used with police (mainly supporting officers like constables and assistant sub inspectors) instead of 'Chalk and talk' approach. Role playing, storytelling and theatre based activities were used to sensitise police on importance of being vigilant, taking prompt action and senistise them on gender issues and situation of mental health of survivors. The training also addressed development of verbal and non verbal communication skills. Use of our approach created a relaxed,open and particpative evironment where the police personnel voiced their concerns and support needs. They were motivated to make anti human trafficking action a key priority (at the start of the training, very few included this when asked to list the top five crimes). The programmes resulted in improved inclination among the police to work in partnership with civil society and also take coordinated action with poice across state and national borders. We also broke misconceptions like traffiked persons forced into commercial sex are offenders in the eyes of law.
We trained Anganwadi workers who work with mothers and pre-school children (0-6years) in rural areas, faith based organisations, women who have formed self help groups to build awareness in their communities on trafficking and ways and means adopted by traffickers for mobiliseing community led vigilance. Most of these women lack education. We thus used role playing, storytelling and thatre absed activiteis to build their awareness and communication skills and instill a sense of ownership in protecting their women, youths and children from traffickers. In mock role play sesions, where the partciapnts approached legal aid cells for help, they mentioned problems like children unable to go to school as they worked as bonded labourers and came up with do's and don'ts for the community/parents and / local governance for preventing trafficking.

Dear Dana,

The social safety nets established do not need grant funding or any separate financing. The stakeholders manage from their own resources. As for example, at Goa police in one place started providing vehicular support to FBO running a helpline. Similarly there is improved help seeking trend among police (as they recognise NGOs are partners in preventing proliferation of crime). College youths in Goa organised awareness campaigns across several locations - they were all volunteering.

Grant financing in source areas is however critical for stakeholder mobilisation and capacity building. The issues are (a) reaching to places where media reach is poor , (b)addressing practically nil awareness on ramifications of crime (Theatre shows are staged for audiences who are illiterate and poor for awareness building and to mobilise involvement. ), (c) lack of joined action - the 'new' actors we brought it for example at Goa - Anganwadi workers or Panchayat - have to be sensitised both on the issue and their role. There is need for committed action over a long period of time. Such initiatives need substantial funding.

Thanks for your comments. Interactive theatre is used for awareness campaign, whereas for capacity building and with focussed groups intervention, we use theatre based games, exercises, role play methods, groups works etc to ensure a non threating, participative and a true both way communication platform for the participants.
1) In source area, its very important for making the community understand the difference between "missing" and "trafficking". Also, issues causing Trafficking and post scenario possible situations are also dedicated. HIV/AIDS is taken up also in many cases. We have also done substantial work in HIV communication addressing all points like modes of transmission, IDU, Migration, Condom usage promotion (even with CSWs through workshops), promotion of STI clinics in many parts of India and have never faced any problem. Lessons learned includes issues like understanding the exact requirement of communication as well as to decide whether to do theatre show or workshop. In case of focussed group it is better to do workshop and in case of mass, its better to do theatre show. But in case any service delivery is attached, its better to invite the supply line people (say, VCTC councillor, peer educator, Anganwadi worker, ASHA worker, Santitation motivator, Siksha bandhu etc) and introduce to community.
2) We have an excellent system of monitoring and evaluation in place. We use feedback form both in case of theatre show and workshop, to get post show/ workshop reactions from audience/ participants. We also involve the panchayat and other grassroot stakeholders and also get schedule and completion signed by them. We have a Project Manager, an on-site project coordinator, feedback collector and a quality assurance person deputed in all of our projects and we submit a detailed analytical report to clients (whoever has funded the program).
3) Challenges in working with law enforcement agencies about trafficking or block/ panchayat officials about santiation is the same - they don't have it in their priority. So, head(s) need to be bought in the program first.
Regards, Amtava

Dear Dana, we have updated our entry.