Within the series of consultations in India and other South Asian countries – supported by SARI/Equity – whose objective it is to disseminate “Regional Products” conceived by regional platforms of experts from all walks of life - Minimum Standards Protocol; Regional Victim Witness Protection Protocol; and Resource Book on Livelihood Options - and to adopt concrete actions for their application, a Consultation was organized in Bhopal by PRERANA in partnership with a local NGO, AARAMBH. Participants included senior police officials; representatives from NGOs working for the care and protection of victims; academics; and the media. Ms. Rekha Sharma, Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Child Development - special guest for the consultation - highly appreciated SARI/Equity’s efforts in developing the Regional Protocols and extended her support, on behalf of the Department, for getting them applied in the state.

Participants expressed concern about the quality of services and facilities available in state-run homes and underlined the urgency for government, NGOs, judiciary; police and media jointly to work together for a higher quality of services in accordance with the regional protocols. The State Human Rights Commissioners could take the responsibility of monitoring the services in the state-run shelter homes in conformity with those approved by the state government.

A ‘Task Force’ entitled IMPACT (Interlink Madhya Pradesh against Trafficking) including several NGOs and eminent social activist was established. AARAMBH will act as the temporary secretariat while Mr. Gyanendra Gautam, Head of Department of Sociology, Bhopal University, agreed to host meetings of the Task Force and remain otherwise involved. The “Task Force” will act as a pressure and guidance group for the protection of victims and to review the functioning, quality and infrastructure of shelter homes.

In this respect an “empirical study” to measure shelter care and support services based on the Minimum Standards Protocol in each district (five shelter homes for women and 26 homes for children in the state) will be undertaken under the supervision of the “Task Force” which latter would liaise with the Commissioners of relevant government departments to seek their support and cooperation for this endeavor.