Prerana is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that works in the red-light districts of Mumbai, India to protect children vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. It was established in 1986. The organization runs three night care centers for children at risk, as well as shelter homes and a residential training center for girls rescued from the trafficking trade. The work of Prerana has been recognized nationally and internationally as being at the forefront of leading the global fight against trafficking and sexual exploitation. Prerana is registered under the Societies Registration Act (Registration No: 372/1990). Its name means "inspiration" in Hindi and Sanskrit. History 1988 Prerana opened its first Night Care Center to provide shelter for children of female victims of human trafficking living in red lights areas. 1989 Prerana created the Institutional Placement Program to suit the specific needs of children living in the red light areas. It aimed to de-link children from exploitative and abusive environments/situations, and to provide long-term residential care and development. 1990 The Educational Support Program designed to suit the needs of children living in the red light areas was created. 1998 Programmatic interventions by Prerana were mentioned in the first National Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Women and Children, Government of India, 1998. 1999 Prerana started an Anti-Trafficking Centre, a specialized resource center on trafficking problems and anti-trafficking initiatives. It was an initiative encouraged by the Department of State, United States Government. 2002-2005 Prerana was appointed to working groups of the Ministry of Health, Government of India to contribute to both the 10th and 11th Five Year Plans. It was also appointed as the Expert by the National Commission of Women and the Central and State Level Advisory Committee to combat human trafficking. 2004 US Government nominated a Prerana Trustee as United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking. 2007 Prerana began offering training to police on trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. 2010 Prerana launched a physical resource center and opened Naunihal Girls' Shelter. 2011 In August 2011, Prerana was invited to be a member on the Supreme Court of India panel on the problems faced by women in sex work in India to work on prevention of trafficking and rehabilitation of sex workers. Focus areas Prevention of second generation trafficking of children of women victims of prostitution Child Protection Victim Rehabilitation – working with victims of commercial sexual exploitation