Trafficking victims sent home

JAKARTA (JP): Sixteen of 17 victims of forced prostitution returned to their respective hometowns late on Thursday after they received some transportation money from a number of members of the House of Representatives, an officer at the Penjaringan Police subprecinct in North Jakarta said.

The legislators visited the young women, who were staying at the police station, and asked them about their plans. The girls said they wanted to go home but did not have any money, according to police officer Supardi.

"They gave them envelopes, so we don't know the amount given to each girl," the officer remarked.

"We then took the girls to the bus terminal and waited for their buses to depart," Supardi said, adding they were destined for, among other places, Pekalongan in Central Java, Jember in East Java and Lampung. (emf)