Trafficking victim awarded landmark interim compensation

Ajanta Chakraborty | TNN | Aug 17, 2017, KOLKATA: A Special POCSO Court awarded an historic compensation to a minor victim of human trafficking. Last Tuesday, district and session judge, Alipore court, Arun Kiran Bandyopadhyay, awarded an interim compensation of Rs 3 lakhs to a victim of human trafficking.

Nasima (not her real name), was trafficked when she was 16 years old from her village in South 24 Parganas to Delhi in 2014, where she was subjected to prostitution. She received the interim compensation under Section 33 (8) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSOA). Rule 7 of POCSOA provides interim compensation for a victim "to meet the immediate needs of the child for relief or rehabilitation." Nasima has been getting legal and aftercare support from International Justice Mission (IJM) in Kolkata.

Interim compensation is short-term monetary allowance that a Special Court under POCSOA can give to a victim at any stage of court proceedings after the FIR is filed. It is granted in order to meet the minor's physical and mental bereavements, as the judge sees fit. The interim compensation is served to alleviate the loss of the crimes committed upon the victim immediately.

The judge's order of Rs. 3 lakhs demonstrates clear sensitivity to Nasima's traumatized condition, Saji Philip, director, operation, IJM, said. Madhabi Ghosh, the Special POCSOA Public Prosecutor for this case, stated, "Orders like this will encourage victims to come to the court and testify willingly. This will prevent the accused from influencing the victims and family members by offering money, which causes victims to turn hostile.

I believe this substantial amount will be used primarily for the treatment and studies of Nasima, the victim." Sharon Madame, the advocate who is providing legal support to the victim said, "The judge's approach towards this POCSOA case invites other legal actors to embrace the need for victim sensitivity."