On the occasion of National Girl Child Day,Missing Link Trust and International Justice Mission, Kolkata, launched an interactive digital comic to create awareness about the menace of human trafficking.The interactive digital comic named Web of Deceit — A Missing and Trafficking Casefile has been developed in the form of an app on android phones.
Dignitaries like Hon’ble Justice Shampa Sarkar, Judge, High Court at Calcutta,Smt. Neeloo Sherpa Chakraborty, IPS, Jt. Commissioner of Police (Organisation), Kolkata Police, Ms. Rituparna Sengupta – Actor and Producer,Ms. Leena Kejriwal, Founder, Missing Link Trust, and Mr. Saji Philip, Director of Operations, International Justice Mission, Kolkata, were present for the app launch.
“‘Web of Deceit- A Missing and Trafficking Casefile’ is a comic for the superheros, of the superheroes and by the superheroes. It is designed to help those who need our support, sensitivity and encouragement to fight their battles and come out victorious and to help one and all to deal with the social crime of human trafficking, said Hon’ble Justice Shampa Sarkar, Judge, High Court at Calcutta.
The narrative has been carefully built to ensure that readers will have options of interacting while reading the comic on key points relating to combatting human trafficking in India.
“Human trafficking is the third largest crime industry in the world, besides narcotics and arms trafficking. Genuine trafficking cases should be disposed off quickly, both by the investigator and the judiciary. Fear of arrest and conviction are two of the deterring factors in this regard. Society should come forward to combat this crime. This comic through the digital medium can reach out to many so that they can understand its façade, be sensitised and play their role to combat this crime and support survivors of trafficking,” said Smt.Neeloo Sherpa Chakraborty, IPS, Jt. Commissioner of Police, (Organisation), Kolkata Police.
This interactive digital comic aims to demonstrate how crimes, in specific, against women and children may be reported and depict how prosecution of a trafficker/exploiter takes place. It has been created as a tool to make the stakeholders and community aware of the dynamic nature of sex trafficking.
“Missing Link Trust and International Justice Mission are deeply committed to the cause of combatting human trafficking. In today's world, with things ever changing, a digital platform like the 'Web of Deceit' will be a powerful tool to spread awareness and sensitise everyone about this heinous crime and help us to understand what roles we can play in this fight,” said Ms. Rituparna Sengupta, Actor and Producer.
Web of Deceit — A Missing and Trafficking Casefilewill act as a trust-building mechanism for citizens who are sceptical of reporting cases - a fundamental step towards increasing the reportage of crimes. The comic, furthermore, has the potential to highlight the different perspectives of the various stakeholders in the issue of sex-trafficking.
“Trafficking is no longer confined to the rural population. Anyone living next to you could be a victim of trafficking. People often do not open up because of the stigma attached (to trafficked persons). Hence, we are trying to address the problem at its preventive stage so that people can identity human trafficking and its tell-tale signs,”said Ms. Leena Kejriwal, founder and director, Missing Link Trust.
The comic comes with additional resources for the purpose of spreading awareness and information. Best practices, or judgments on key issues, or phone numbers have been given for the said purpose.
“Weare elated to launch this interactive digital comic. Our hope is that many would identify the deceit that is hidden in the web and create a protective space around the vulnerable community,” saidMr. Saji Philip, Director of Operations, International Justice Mission Kolkata.
Kolkata, 24th January, 2021
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