One-Way Ticket to a Red-Light Area: Experiences of Sex Trafficking Victims From Mumbai, India

Background and Purpose: India is considered to be the epicenter for sex trafficking in the world and a source, destination, and transit country for sex trafficking (Joffres et al., 2009). Sex trafficking has been reported from every state in India; however, more victims of trafficking can be found in Kamathipura red-light area in Mumbai than in any other place in the country (Fredrick, 2000).This research is a qualitative study on experiences of sex trafficking of 48 female sex workers of the Kamathipura. The respondents of this study were trafficked as minors and have been living as sex workers in Kamathipura for several years. This research highlights their stories and experiences of trafficking from their homes in the villages of India to the red-light area of Mumbai. More specifically; this research analyzes vulnerabilities leading to trafficking and the role of family members in trafficking of women and children.

Methods: In-depth interviewing methods were used to collect data from 48 female victims of sex trafficking. Three research questions were answered: 1) What is the socio-demographic profile of victims of trafficking in Kamathipura? 2) What were the victim's reasons for entry into sex work? and 3) How do the victims describe their process of entry into sex work? For the purpose of analysis, each interview was transcribed and re-written as a narrative. Each narrative had quotes from the interview and captured the voice and language of sex workers from the field. Grounded theory approach was used to analyze and interpret data and generate knowledge. Three critical themes emerged from the data: 1) Identifying the victims of trafficking 2) Reasons for entry into sex work 3) Process of entry into sex work: role of family.

Results: The results indicate that the majority of the respondents were trafficked before the age of 18. They belonged to extremely poor and marginalized families from rural India. The majority of the respondents were trafficked by family members or acquaintances under the guise of providing employment. However, upon reaching Mumbai, they were sold into the brothels of Kamathipura and forced into sex work. This study provides compelling evidence of exploitation of victims who were trafficked. Severe forms of violence ranging from physical abuse to rape and psychological trauma were reported by the respondents. The majority of the respondents were forced to live behind closed doors of the brothels, and were denied any social contact for several years after being trafficked. They were forced to take clients by the brothel-keepers and pimps and did not have any decision making power.

Conclusions and Implications: This research not only highlights the exploitation suffered by victims of sex trafficking in the area but it also provides recommendations to social workers for responding to the needs of victims of sex trafficking. This is the only study on trafficking from Kamathipura which highlights victims' voices and brings out problems and difficulties expressed by them. This research therefore makes a significant contribution to the social work literature on sex trafficking particularly from an international context.