CNN reports that officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation in India have estimated earlier this month that of the three million people working as prostitutes in the country, 1.2 million are children­–about 40 percent.

The CNN story reported that high-ranking governmentofficials have estimated that 100 million people in India are involved in human trafficking, and have described the country as a source, transition location and destination for human trafficking.

A government statement noted “alarming trends” of rising prostitution in pilgrim towns, sex tourism and pedophilia.

While those numbers are unspeakably high, they are a basic step in defining and illuminating a terrible problem. The country of India, and the rest of the world, has an enormous battle ahead.

To read the story in its entirety:

 http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/11/india.prostitution.children