As many as 313 persons were trafficked in Andhra Pradesh in 2024, according to the Crime in India 2024 report released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on May 6.

Overall, 159 cases were registered and majority of the women and girls were trafficked for sexual exploitation and for forced labour, said N. Ram Mohan, secretary of HELP, an NGO.

“Of the total 313 victims, 291 were women and girls, of whom 279 were trafficked for sex work. A few were trafficked for marriage, domestic works and other purposes,” Mr. Ram Mohan told The Hindu on Thursday.

The NCRB data indicates the severity of exploitation of women and children (girls) and the organised prostitution by some gangs in the State, said the HELP secretary, who was working on anti-human trafficking in Andhra Pradesh for the last few years.

Among those trafficked, 23 were children, and the percentage of rescues was good, he added. Andhra Pradesh has 13 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in 26 districts.

Mr. Ram Mohan said that the State was in third place in human trafficking according to the Crime in India 2024 report and that there was an urgent need to step up vigil on traffickers.

“Police should focus on inter-State and online prostitution rackets, set up AHTUs in all districts, establish fast-track courts for speedy trial of the cases,” said a victim of sex trafficking recently. Steps should be taken to strengthen victim protection and increase conviction rate to check trafficking cases, said the victim preferring anonymity.