Andhra Pradesh becomes the first state to criminalise sex buyers

In a first, the state of Andhra Pradesh has decided to tackle trafficking by criminalising sex buyers. Andhra Pradesh will become the first in the country in targetting people who purchase sex in brothels. This, the authorities said, is a part of the crackdown on sexual slavery of women and children.

It is a known fact that India has strict laws against human trafficking, sexual abuse, and the operation of brothels. However, owing to multiple middlemen who resort to innumerable illegal activities, people still end up in brothels without facing any charges.

“People who purchase sex go scot-free,” H. Arun Kumar, the state government’s commissioner for women’s development and child welfare was quoted as saying by the Thomas Reuters Foundation.

It has also been learned that last month, the authorities have appointed a panel of legal experts and campaigners to study the laws that could be applied to the offenders. They are expected to make the recommendations within 60 days.

Panel member Sunitha Krishnan told the Thomas Reuters Foundation that, “The buyers are the ones creating the demand. Girls will continue to be sold until buyers are criminalised.”

Public demand to take up action against those paying to have sex with children has gone up in the recent times. In fact, a politician from the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) set up a petition on change.org last month to seek tougher action.

News Credits: Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women’s rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience.