Journey

OVER 4 DECADES OF FIGHTING INJUSTICE AND PROTECTING RIGHTS

Prerana is a civil society organization that started working in the red-light areas of Mumbai in 1986 and serves actual and potential women and child victims of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking (CSE&T). Immediately, Prerana noticed one of the greatest horrors in this community: the ultimate plight of children born to prostituted women and the children’s inescapable recruitment into the organized flesh trade. In response to the situation, Prerana pioneered several path-breaking interventions, monitored the success stories out of each intervention, and disseminated them for mainstreaming.

Prerana takes a 360-degree approach to its efforts in ending commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking by playing roles in protection, prevention, vigilance, rescue, post-rescue operations, victim care services, prosecution, empowerment of victim women, advocacy, legal support, policy-level and administrative reforms, rehabilitation and social reintegration, generating social awareness, research and documentation, sensitization and training of special functionaries (like police, judiciary, etc.), and networking and capacity building of fellow organizations. Over the years, Prerana has also worked on larger issues around child protection and gender-based violence. Some of Prerana’s key milestones include:

Key Moments

1988-99

The first-ever Night Care Center in the world was conceptualized as a viable option for women living in the red-light areas, providing shelter to their children and protecting them from the dangerous influences of the red-light area.
The first-ever Institutional Placement Program was conceptualized and evolved to suit the specific needs of children and women living in the red-light areas — to de-link children from exploitative and harmful environments and situations, and to provide long-term residential care and development.
Prerana launched the Educational Support Program for children growing up in red-light areas, ensuring sustained school enrolment, preventing dropouts, and supporting meaningful learning journeys. Beyond access, the program focused on children’s safety and learning within schools, while working closely with mothers to build family ownership, protection, and continuity in education — laying the foundation for long-term stability and social mainstreaming.
After 12 years of working in the red-light districts, the programmatic interventions developed by Prerana were mentioned in the first National Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Women and Children, Department of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, 1998.
A year later, taking its knowledge and experience to a wider audience, Prerana started an Anti-Trafficking Center, a specialized resource center on anti-trafficking initiatives. The modestly resourced ATC achieved very high accomplishments in such a short span of time, and it was an initiative encouraged by the U.S. Department of State.

2000-2010

Started the Night Care Center in Falkland Road, in the red-light areas adjoining Kamathipura. Prerana’s co-founders Pravin Patkar and Priti Patkar represented Prerana at the United Nations in Vienna, presenting its model for preventing intergenerational trafficking and protecting the rights of women in the sex trade, and sharing its ongoing experience intervening with victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Started Naunihal as a children’s home for girls in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, and a Night Care Center in the Vashi-Turbhe red-light area.

Prerana was appointed to both working groups of the Ministry of Health, Government of India, to contribute to the 10th and 11th Five Year Plans, and was also appointed as an Expert by the National Commission for Women and the State Level Advisory Committee for the implementation of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
Prerana’s influence and expertise crossed borders, and the U.S. Government nominated a Prerana Trustee as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking.
A major development in Prerana’s holistic approach to anti-trafficking was incorporating the training of police on trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation into its scope of work, promoted by UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) and the Maharashtra Police.
A milestone after 24 years of operation was Prerana’s launch of its first physical resource center and a special home for girls rescued from the sex trade. Although this move was resisted for years, given Prerana’s belief that institutionalization as alternative care is not the last resort for children in need of care and protection, safe shelter was deemed critical for certain children “out of family” in dire need of protection and rehabilitation.

2011-2019

In August 2011, Prerana was invited to be a member of the Supreme Court panel appointed in Criminal Appeal #135/2010, then ongoing in the Supreme Court, where the emphasis was on discussing the problems faced by women in prostitution and the possibility of offering them rehabilitation.

Prerana published the book After Care, focusing on interventions in the often-neglected post-institutional domain. The book sheds light on the challenges faced by children transitioning from institutional care and offers practical insights, frameworks, and strategies to support their holistic development and well-being.

In June 2014, Priti Patkar, co-founder of Prerana, was honored with the Human Rights Award by Vital Voices at the 13th Global Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C., recognizing her exceptional contribution to human rights and social justice. Prerana also launched the Lakshmi Initiative in collaboration with filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor, named after his film Lakshmi. The program provides educational sponsorships to children and youth to complete their educational pursuits.

Prerana co-conceptualized the Missing Girls Campaign to raise public awareness on locating missing children and preventing child disappearances. The campaign was carried out by Team Prerana across high-risk and largely deserted areas, including schools near red-light districts, community spaces within red-light areas, railway stations, and nearby beaches. Priti Patkar was honored with the Naari Shakti Award by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India.

Prerana launched India’s first online hotline through its Aarambh Initiative to report child sexual abuse material, in partnership with the UK-based Internet Watch Foundation. Prerana also partnered with UNICEF to support implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012, with district child protection, law enforcement, and medical systems.

Prerana also launched an online resource center (www.fighttrafficking.org), envisaged as a knowledge resource hub on human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation at the South Asia regional level.

In March 2016, Prerana published the book Home Coming, documenting a case of repatriation to Nepal. The book explores the challenges and processes involved in repatriating and reintegrating children into their home country, offering insights for practitioners and policymakers in child protection and cross-border rehabilitation.

Prerana launched Project Sanmaan after extensive consultations with law enforcement and the child protection system, designed to support and rehabilitate children and their families found begging on the streets, ensuring they receive protection, care, and opportunities for a safer future.

In August 2017, Prerana launched Pehel, where girls who turned 18 were initiated into assisted group living to support their reintegration into society.

In November 2017, Prerana’s Aarambh Initiative received the National Award for Child Welfare (Institutions category) for its work through the Online Resource Center, the Internet Hotline, and its on-ground work with victims of sexual violence.

In November 2018, Prerana launched a dedicated HIV-Positive Women’s Support Group to create a safe and informed space for women living with HIV. The group met monthly to discuss topics such as Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), antiretroviral (ARV) medications, self-care practices, and other aspects of managing their health and well-being.

In May 2019, Prerana’s Sanmaan team organized its first state-level consultation, “Forced Migration and Children in Begging: State Level Consultation and Dissemination, 2019.”

In August 2019, Prerana’s Anti-Trafficking Center officially relaunched its online resource center (www.fighttrafficking.org) after making it more accessible and user-friendly.

In November 2019, Prerana was awarded the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for its work in the red-light areas and in the anti-human-trafficking space. By November 2019, Prerana had developed a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to guide child-friendly rescues of children found in begging situations, ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being during intervention.

In the same year, Prerana, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR), organized a round table consultation titled “Preventing Children from Begging Outside Places of Worship and Placing Them on a Path of Development,” bringing together key stakeholders to discuss systemic solutions and strengthen coordinated action for these children’s protection and development.

2020-2025

Prerana launched the Specialized Social Case Work Curriculum and Program, built on three decades of experience in case work with child victims of sexual violence, designed to strengthen professional capacity, standardize practices, and ensure high-quality, child-centered support across diverse intervention settings.

Prerana also launched Udaan in response to the urgent need to support children who had lost one or both parents to COVID-19. The initiative continued for over two years, providing emotional, educational, and financial support to help these children and their families and caregivers rebuild stability and move forward with dignity.

The Night Care Center (NCC) was officially registered as an Open Shelter under the JJ Act, 2015, formalizing its role in providing safe, protective, and nurturing spaces for children in need of care and support.

Prerana launched Models of Care, a best-practice framework based on three decades of experience, designed to strengthen and standardize holistic, child-centered practices across its programs.

In April 2021, the Aarambh India Initiative transitioned into an independent organization now known as RATI Foundation, marking the conclusion of Prerana’s partnership with ADMCF.

From 2021 onward, Prerana’s Post-Rescue Operations and case referrals under the Systems Strengthening Interventions, implemented with UNICEF, were consolidated under the Aagaaz Program, which now undertakes referrals for all cases of child victims of sexual violence.

In July 2021, Priti Patkar was appointed as a Member of the Central Authority (National Legal Services Authority).

Prerana introduced Learning Circles to deepen civil society’s experiential understanding of the JJ Act and POCSO Act, bringing organizations together to share challenges and strengthen collective knowledge on child protection laws and practices.

Prerana also launched the Humans Not for Sale podcast to deepen public understanding of human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation and share its on-ground experience, aiming to raise awareness and build informed civic engagement.

Prerana launched Project Unnati and Aashiyana to promote and strengthen family-based care at both the child protection system and community levels, convening a forum with participation from over 20 civil society organizations.

Prerana also established a Community Center for children — a safe daytime space for life-skills sessions, leadership development, and enriching activities, particularly during after-school or post-college hours.

Prerana organized a National Consultation to discuss and strengthen rights-based child protection interventions for children found begging, bringing together stakeholders to examine systemic gaps and advance collaborative solutions.

Prerana launched Jagaran, a resource on its online resource center aimed at strengthening awareness and prevention of human trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, serving as a practical tool for frontline workers, community practitioners, and civil society.

 Prerana was honored with an award from the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) in recognition of its longstanding commitment and impactful work in child protection.

Prerana launched the Children’s Speak initiative, bringing together 11 child rights organizations, children, and community representatives to recognize children’s needs and rights and empower them to address issues affecting their lives. Over 150 children from Mumbai and adjoining districts developed the first-ever Children’s Manifesto, presented to candidates during the 2024 General Elections.

Prerana initiated its Legal Aid Clinic at the Navjeevan Mahila Vastigruh and a Child-Friendly Legal Aid Clinic at the Child Welfare Committee, Mumbai Suburban, in partnership with the District Legal Services Authority. Prerana also trained 590 paralegal volunteers across Mumbai in collaboration with the DLSAs and leading legal education institutions.

Prerana released the Humraah Video Series, an animated initiative raising awareness of child-friendly procedures under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, supporting children, families, and frontline workers with accessible guidance on safeguarding children and their rights during interventions.

Prerana also started the first Legal Aid Clinic in Maharashtra at the CWC to support children, families, and the child protection system.