Trafficking, forced labour and organised exploitation
Exploitation can begin with a job, marriage, travel, housing or modelling offer and become debt, threats, document control, forced labour or sexual exploitation.
In this guide
What this can look like
Movement across a border is not required for exploitation. A recruiter, relative, employer, spouse or organised group may be involved.
- The terms, location or work change after arrival and the person cannot leave freely.
- Identity documents, phone, wages or movement are controlled; invented debts grow.
- Threats target family, immigration status, police action or exposure; sexual services or unpaid work are forced.
Why this is harmful
- Control often combines isolation, violence, debt and institutional fear, making a sudden escape dangerous.
- A rescue without safe housing, income, identity documents and long-term support can expose a person to renewed exploitation.
Trafficking and forced labour are prohibited
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita contains trafficking and exploitation offences; the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act abolishes bonded labour and related obligations.
Children may also need protection under POCSO and juvenile-justice law.
Do not assume every unsafe job is legally trafficking or that police contact is safe in every circumstance. Specialist assessment and a survivor-led plan are important.
Safer next steps
Choose only what fits the situation. Safety, time, money, disability, family control and device monitoring can change what is possible.
Avoid alerting controllers
Use a safer device and a neutral reason for contact when phones, travel or documents are monitored.
Share precise location if possible
Note landmarks, employer or recruiter names, vehicle details and a safe contact time without creating a discoverable record.
Plan beyond removal
Ask about safe accommodation, documents, healthcare, wages, legal status and continued protection before movement where time allows.
How to support someone
Do not attempt an informal rescue that may expose her or other workers.
What can help
- Ask what is monitored and when contact is safest.
- Use emergency, child-protection or legal services with only necessary information.
What to avoid
- Do not contact the recruiter or employer.
- Do not publish names, images or location.
Words you can use
“You do not owe anyone work because they arranged travel or housing.”
“What would make contact safer for you?”
What families and institutions must do
Police and justice systems
Responding authorities
- Separate protection from punishment and identify children promptly.
- Plan privacy, interpretation, safe housing and long-term legal support.
Workplaces
Employers and labour systems
- Verify recruitment chains and prohibit worker-paid coercive debt.
- Ensure workers retain documents, wages, movement and complaint access.
Get help and practical support
Call 112
For immediate danger, urgent police, fire or medical coordination.
Pan-India emergency service
A call or app request may share your number, voice and location with responders.
Call Child Helpline 1098
For a child in crisis or needing protection and connection to longer-term care.
24 hours through state and district child-protection systems
Call legal-aid helpline 15100
Women and children are listed among people eligible for free legal services.
Eligibility does not guarantee a particular lawyer, remedy or result.
Sources and publication record
- Publication review
- Reviewed and approved by the project team
- Sources checked
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Review record
- Reviewed and approved by the project team. Official statutes and service sources are listed with the relevant content.
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023India Code, Legislative Department
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976India Code, Legislative Department
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012India Code, Legislative Department
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015India Code, Legislative Department
- Emergency Response Support System 112Ministry of Home Affairs
- Child Helpline 1098Ministry of Women and Child Development
- Free legal services and National Legal Aid Helpline 15100National Legal Services Authority