Founded in 1996 by Ms. Sunitha Krishnan and Brother Jose Vetticatil, the organization actively works in the areas of prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration, and advocacy to combat trafficking in every dimension and restore dignity to victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
[6] Based on the women's plea for a dignified future for their children, two visionaries—a Catholic Missionary named Brother Jose Vetticatil and a then Hindu nun Ms. Sunitha Krishnan—joined forces to initiate an intervention to prevent minors from entering the sex trade.
As the journey progressed, Prajwala's reach expanded to meet the multifold needs of victims and establish a wide range of anti-trafficking initiatives, with full faith in people's participation in the process of social transformation.
[11] The organization's transition centers in Hyderabad function as bridging schools which not only foster the overall development of the children, but also equip them with the necessary psychosocial and scholastic skills to ensure a bright future that breaks the cycles of poverty and social exclusion.
[21] Prajwala also operates three Crisis Counseling Centers in police stations at entry and exit points throughout Hyderabad to identify minors in prostitution and intercept trafficking cases.
[citation needed] Prajwala has built a residential shelter home 65 km close to Hyderabad to provide a safe and healing environment for young women and girls rescued from the flesh trade.
When they first arrive, victims often attempt to escape or commit suicide due to extreme post-traumatic stress disorder, Stockholm syndrome and life-threatening diseases such as HIV/AIDS, which is why crisis counseling and psychosocial support is provided to aid the healing process.
[25] With the help of social workers, medical staff, caretakers and teachers, Prajwala also provides health care, education, yoga & meditation, nutritious diet, therapeutic programs & activities, and life-skills & vocational training.
[29] Prajwala works in cooperation with the corporate sector to place survivors in jobs according to their interests, such as taxi drivers, camera operators, housekeepers, security guards, nursing attendants, masons and more.
[32] Prajwala's final phase of rehabilitation entails gaining a civic identity through provision of immediate relief benefits, housing, health, ration and electoral photo identification cards.
[40] Prajwala has worked relentlessly to bring about a change in the attitude of India's government for victim-friendly policies, as well as awareness regarding sex trafficking, through political, legal, and media advocacy.
[citation needed] In 2002, Prajwala conducted an action research and publication of a document entitled The Shattered Innocence on inter-state trafficking from Andhra Pradesh to other states, revealing the reality and magnitude of the crime along with a demographic profile of vulnerable communities.
[44] She was also appointed as a member of the Andhra Pradesh State Women's Commission[45] and contributed to India's new Bill on Rape, which was passed in Parliament in 2013[46] to increase punitive measures for sexual violence and assault.
[47] Furthermore, Ms. Sunitha Krishnan has conducted sensitisation workshops for thousands of senior police officers, judges, prosecutors and Child Welfare Committee members[48] to equip them with the requisite understanding and skills to effectively handle cases of human trafficking and advocate for child-friendly courts.
[51] In collaboration with internationally acclaimed director Rajesh Touchriver, Prajwala has produced several films on sex trafficking and child sexual abuse to educate and sensitise the masses.
[56] Her July 2012 appearance on Aamir Khan’s television show Satyamev Jayate was instrumental in not only garnering huge funds but also networking with business owners willing to provide job placements for survivors.
Ms. Sunitha Krishnan is making it possible for India's government and citizens organizations to manage jointly a range of protective and rehabilitative services for children and women who have been trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation.