Question : Comprehensive Legislation on Child Abuse

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to draft a comprehensive legislation to deal with the menace of child trafficking, missing children, sexual exploitation, slavery and employment of trafficked children;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which such legislation is likely to be introduced;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government has received any suggestions from the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other experts in this regard; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/being taken by the Government on such suggestions?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): In order to deal with issues of various aspects of trafficking of persons including trafficking of children, a comprehensive legislation in the form of The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 has been drafted by Ministry of WCD. The Bill aims to prevent trafficking of persons, to provide care, protection and rehabilitation to the victims of trafficking, to prosecute offenders and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The said Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha was then sent to the Rajya Sabha for introduction and passing. But, this could not be considered in the Rajya Sabha. Upon dissolution of the 16th Lok Sabha, the Bill has lapsed. The Government is taking appropriate action for re-introduction of this Bill by following due procedure.

(d) & (e): Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 relates to issues of sexual exploitation etc. only in the context of those victims, who may also be children, who have been trafficked. During the course of drafting of this Bill, the Government has had consultations with various stakeholders including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other experts and has taken their suggestions into consideration.

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