2022

240 rescued from sex trafficking and sex crime

In collaboration with Government of Telangana and Shakti Vahini organized Southern Regional Level Consultation on ‘Inter-State Collaboration to Combat Human Trafficking’. Heads of State Commission for Women, Children; Secretaries of Women and Child Welfare; Member Secretaries of State Legal Services Authority and Head of Police force from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Odisha and Kerala participated.

Declaration of Intent signed by six southern states on mutual cooperation to fight inter-state trafficking.

Legal Aid Clinic established within Prajwala in collaboration with District Legal Services Authority, Ranga Reddy District

200 civil servants and 400 police officers sensitized on multi-dimensional aspects of human trafficking

2021

400 victims rescued and provided safe shelter

100 Covid Orphans from all over the country provided educational support.

Vikalpa renamed as ‘Sex Buyers Change Program’. 361 male buyers counseled using the new training manual on demand reduction.

Governor of Odisha Prof Ganeshi Lal released Handbooks on Human Trafficking prepared with the support of US Consulate for all duty bearers in Odisha in collaborative partnership with Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences

On the recommendation of Sunitha Krishnan a Transgender Desk was set up in Cyberabad Commissionerate and was inaugurated by Shri. V.C. Sajjanar, IPS Commissioner, Cyberabad

Governor of Andhra Pradesh Shri Biswa Bhushan Harichandan released Handbooks on Human Trafficking for Duty Bearers in Andhra Pradesh

Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana released hand books on Human Trafficking for duty officers in Telangana prepared in collaboration with U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

Hon'ble Minister Ms. Satyawathi Rathod released training manuals for Anganwadi Workers, Community Vigilant Groups & Demand Reduction on the occasion of #World Day Against Trafficking in Persons & honored Anti trafficking Warriors.

Ms. Krishnan has been appointed as Honorary Advisor to Women Empowerment & Grievance Cell constituted by Movie Artistes Association

Government of Telangana recommended Prajwala to be accredited as a Industrial Training Institute

2020

All Prajwala operations sustained in spite of Covid pandemic, 300 victims rescued and successful convictions in 10 cases with 40 traffickers.

Baseline survey of seven high risk pockets in Hyderabad completed and 1500 vulnerable children mostly orphans and semi-orphans identified for the education program.

Covid relief groceries provided to 1000 transgenders, 1000 survivors of trafficking and 10,000 migrant families; additionally, 80,000 fleeing migrants were provided daily food.

Covid quarantine and Covid Hospice set up in two different safe shelters.

#EndHumanTraffickingSeries titled #RealityCheck which had six episodes was successfully conducted by Prajwala founder Sunitha Krishnan with close collaborator Salil Kader. This virtual series was first of its kind where judicial officers, prosecutors, police officers, parliamentarians, civil society organization and civil society organizations participated. Over 50,000 people viewed the content.

Founder Sunitha Krishnan was felicitated by Her Excellency Mrs Tamilsai Soundararajan, Governor of Telangana on the eve of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s birthday.

Founder Sunitha Krishnan was felicitated by Shri Mahesh Bhagwat, IPS, Commissioner of Rachakonda as Good Samaritan for service during covid pandemic.

Handbook on Human Trafficking prepared for judicial officers, prosecuting officers, labor officers, child welfare committee and civil society organizations.

2019

40 Senior Police officers from Andhra Pradesh were trained as State Master Trainers on Victim Centered Investigation. These Trainers in turn will train 400 cutting edge officers in the districts. The officer were given a comprehensive training manual.

Victim centered investigation became a part of curriculum in the Police Academy and Judicial Academy and Trauma informed approaches has become a part of Home management.

30 Master trainers from all the districts of Odisha were trained in collaboration with Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha on implementing Home Management Training Manual. These Master trainers will thereafter train all the Home managers from all over Odisha.

30 Home Superintendents and counselors managing Swadhar& Ujjwala homes in Andhra Pradesh were trained on effective Home management.

Two Batches of 50 senior Police officers from Telangana were trained as Master Trainers on Victim Centered Investigation in Telangana Academy. Hon’ble Director General of Police Shri. Mahender Reddy, IPS released the training manual for the same.

A Co-Managed home was set-up in collaboration with Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and Vasavya Mahila Mandali for Sex Trafficked Victims. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri. Nara Chandra babu Naidu inaugurated the same.

Home Management Training Manual released by Hon’ble Vice President of India Shri Venkaih Naidu on 28th July, 2019 at Marri Chenna Reddy HRD Institute.

Sunitha Krishnan, Founder of Prajwala was featured in Kaun Banega Crorepati with legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan and awarded with Karamveer Puraskar.

Public Interest Litigation filed in Telangana High Court on non-formation of Child Welfare Committees.

Shri J.K Maheshwari, Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court released the comprehensive training manual on ‘victim friendly justice’ for judicial officers and prosecutors.

2018

South Asia Regional Conference on Preventing Human Trafficking: Amplifying Lessons from Swaraksha caravan was held at Novotel Hotel, Hyderabad with 150 dignitaries including Member Secretaries Of State Legal Services Authority, Senior Police Officers, Secretaries of Women & Child Welfare Department and Civil Society Organizations.

Honored Ms. Mini Mathews, IAS and Ms. Chaya Ratan, IAS with the first “Prajwala Ratna Awards”.

Established of Co-Managed Home with Government of Telangana and Model Home with SWARD, Siddipet.

Imparted training for 150 police officers on Victim Centered Investigation in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.

Developed comprehensive training manual on Home Management.

Home Management training given to 150 Home managers in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh & Odisha.

A team of 30 survivors trained as carpenters and welders went to Kerala for a period of 1 month and re-constructed 250 houses, community hall and schools.

2017

Over 100 Survivors deliberated on the comprehensive Anti Trafficking Bill to be proposed to Government of India as a part of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Establishment of a new intervention “Victim Centered Advocacy” to replicate the best practice Victim-centric Interventions evolved by Prajwala in the last two decades with state and non –state partners.

Developed Comprehensive training manuals on victim centered investigations for the police, judiciary and prosecutors.

The Third consultation with survivors to deliberate on the Anti Trafficking Bill.

Joined hands with Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi for Bharat Yatra a nation-wide movement for Safe India. Prajwala Warriors including 10 child survivors travelled from Kanyakumari to New Delhi. Prajwala warrior Manisha addressed the nation in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

2016

Launched “Swaraksha” a community awakening caravan to counter trafficking in three states of Telangana, Odisha & Andhra Pradesh

Launched ‘Vikalpa’ a new initiative with Deputy Commissioner of Police Hyderabad North to end street based prostitution by counselling sex buyers and offenders Shifted to new campus at Tukkuguda, which has the Prajwala Base Camp, an Economic Rehabilitation Unit for survivors and a novel initiative-“Emergency Shelter”

2015

Launched “#ShameTheRapist” campaign, the first of its kind in the world.

Filed Public Interest Litigation 63/2015 in the High Court of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh on non-implementation of ITPA and need for a “Uniform Rescue Protocol” Filed suo motto Writ Petition (Crl) 3/2105 in the Supreme Court about the rape videos being circulated on ‘WhatsApp’, need for Sex Offenders Register and an anonymous reporting mechanism for citizen’s to report.

Landlord gives ultimatum to shift the Economic Rehabilitation Unit located at Falaknuma.

2014

11th Transition Center started at Malakpet.

Filed Public Interest Litigation 37918/2014 in the High Court of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh on government’s apathy towards protective homes.

Released first feature film on sex trafficking “Naa Bangaaru Talli” in 43 theatres across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Karnataka & United States

2013

10th Transition Centre started at Singareni Colony

New intervention “Rape Victim’s Support Program” to support child victims of sex crime launched.

2012

Groups with vested interest attacked Transition/Learning Centres at Kalapather & Pahadi. The centre at Pahadi closed ascertaining the safety of the mothers.

8th Transition Centre set up at AsadBaba Nagar, 9th Transition Centre set up at Pisal Banda.

“Security Guard” training introduced for survivors in collaboration with Balram Security Service

2011

Permanent Shelters constructed. Children’s Home & Adult Home shifted to Amangal, Shamshabad district.

The government appointed ‘Prajwala’ as state nodal agency for economic empowerment of survivors (GO MS 27/2011)

The government accepted the policy to provide relief and compensation for minor victims of sex trafficking (GO MS 28/2011)

2010

7th transition school started at a critical prostitution hotspot- Yadrigutta.

Launched 200 Girl Child Empowerment Clubs/Balika Sadhikara Sangams in government schools.

Released short film on incest “The Sacred Face”

Policy to ensure minimum standards of care in homes for trafficked victims accepted by the Government (GO MS 16/2010)

2009

Landlord gives ultimatum to vacate both the Shelters located at Falaknuma succumbing to community pressure which was triggered by continous threats and intimidations from traffickers.

The Community Based Prevention Program launches an exclusive intervention with men as stakeholders- “Men Against Demand” (MAD)

A core team with 25 survivors trained in welding constructed 3000 shelters in flood hit region of Rajoli, Mahboobnagar.

Released 2 short films on human trafficking “Needalu” and “Mein Aur Meri Sachayein”

9 more Corporate Companies joined the mission to provide employment opportunities to survivors.

2008

Launched nationwide “Movement Against Trafficking” (MAT) with 100 men taking part in a cycle rally

Introduced self-defence for survivors in collaboration with the Crime Investigation Department (CID)

Released animation film on HIV Care “Chigurinche Asha”

2007

Anti Trafficking Program renamed as Community Based Prevention Program Launched Aparajitha, a first of its kind survivor movement during National Survivors Conference “Promises Made, Promises Forgotten”

Introduced Masonary training for survivors in collaboration with the National Academy of Construction

Released short film on human trafficking “One Life, No Price” produced with support from UNODC.

2006

Three new Crises Counselling Centres set up in Gopalapuram Police Station, Tank Bund Outpost and Lake-View Police Station.

6th Transition Centre started at Uddamgadda

Filed Public Interest Litigation 13472/2006 in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh on non-implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000

Policy to grant immediate relief to victims accepted by the Government (GO MS 13/2006)

2005

Survivors trained as welders built 500 Tsunami shelters in the worst tsunami hit areas of Car Nicobar and South Andaman.

Adult Home shifted to Falaknuma to accommodate more victims.

Documentary films ‘Me&Us’ and ‘Astha-An Ode to Life’ on rehabilitation of adult and child victims released.

Co-Founder Bro Jose Vetticattil died due to massive cardiac arrest at age of 48.

2004

Need felt to establish an economic unit which was viable and sustainable with non-conventional trades for women. Economic Rehabilitation Unit with printing, welding and carpentry established at Falaknuma.

Public Interest Litigation 56/2004 filed in the Supreme Court for a Victim Protection Protocol.

Landmark ruling in writ petition filed in Delhi High Court 1467/04 to allow video conferencing to record evidence of victims.

Documentary film “Building Bridges” on prevention of second generation prostitution released.

The first documentary on sex trafficking “Anamika-The Nameless” released. Documentary film “Bhagnagar” on sheikh marriages released. Released documentary film “A Chance to Life” on care & support of paediatric HIV Launched Anti Trafficking Resource Cell

2003

The transition centres continued to expand with two more centres at Kishanbagh and Pahadi. As a new innovation in prevention, 11 drop-in centres in red light areas was set up in collaboration with other NGO’s which became learning centres for the children

Children’s Home Shifted to Falaknuma to accommodate more children.

Corporate social partnership was explored to provide employment opportunities for the survivors. The first corporate partner- Amul India Action Research “The Shattered Innocence”, co-authored by Dr. Sunitha Krishnan and Brother Jose Vetticattil, paved the way for an Anti Trafficking Policy (GO MS 01/2003) in Andhra Pradesh and a state-wide campaign targeting adolescent girls.

Prevention programs expanded to sensitization efforts. Anti Trafficking Program set up.

First Crises Counselling Center with Police Department set up at Afzalgunj Police Station.

Docu-fiction “Of Freedom & Fear”/Swecha Kani on HIV/AIDS released.

2002

One out three victims was found to be HIV positive. HIV counselling became the need of the hour. On the request of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Prajwala pioneered the setting up of Voluntary Counselling & Testing Centres(VCTC) for Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society. 1500 HIV Counsellors were recruited, trained and deputed to the VCTCs.

2001

The transition centres also expanded. Third Centre set up at Kalapather. Threats and intimidation faced by the Adult Home.

2000

The rescue efforts expanded to include adult women who were sex trafficked. The need was felt to set up a separate safe facility as these adult women behaved differently and their needs were different. First Safe Home for Adults set up at Engine Bowli.

1999

The impact of the transition centre in the lives of children led the mothers from other areas requesting for similar intervention. Second transition/learning centre set up at Kishanbagh.

1998

When the mothers felt more confident and empowered they found the courage to give information about children in prostitution. The first rescue of a minor girl and the consequent rescues lead to the establishment of the first safe home for child victims at Fateh Darwaza.

1997

The plea of the mothers (women in prostitution) for an alternative life lead to the first economic empowerment unit in the form of a Plastic Toy making unit.

1996

Hyderabad: An old red-light area, Mehboob Ki Mehendi, located behind the High Court of Andhra Pradesh was evicted through a court order. Hundreds of women in prostitution were rendered homeless and option less.

Prajwala was born as a small initiative to prevent inter-generational prostitution. First transition centre/learning centre established with 5 children in a vacated brothel at Mehboob Ki Mehendi.