On November 9, 2020 the Department of Social Work organized a one-day webinar on '˜Human Trafficking and the Role of a Social Worker.' Ms. Juliana Lohar, Project Director of SWIFT WASH, ARZ, Vasco, Goa was the resource person for the session.
Ms Lohar highlighted the concept of Human Trafficking, covering the forcing of girls groomed and forced into sexual exploitation, men tricked into accepting risky job offers and trapped in forced labour in building sites, farms or factories and women recruited to work in private homes only to be trapped, exploited and abused behind closed doors with no way out. She also emphasized how human trafficking occurs. When a perpetrator, often referred to as a trafficker, takes an action and then employs the means of force, fraud or cruelty for the purpose of compelling the victim to provide commercial sex acts.
At the end of the session, Ms Lohar defined the role of a professional social worker in the prevention of human trafficking. This includes identifying issues, identifying stakeholders, understanding law and involving different stakeholders in bringing change. The webinar concluded with a vote of thanks given by Mr. Ram Karthik, a TY BSW student.