MUMBAI:MTV Networks and the MTV Europe Foundation, a registered UK charity, announced the launch of MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) across Asia and the Pacific, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The youth-focused pan-regional initiative is created to raise awareness and increase prevention of human trafficking - a tragic form of modern day slavery.

MTV Exit will highlight and address three major forms of trafficking in Asia and the Pacific: sex trafficking and forced prostitution, labour trafficking, and forced domestic servitude. The campaign is split into two regions: Asia-Pacific and South Asia.

"Human trafficking has become a critical human rights issue facing young people across Asia and the Pacific. Victims are subject to horrendous abuses, including rape and torture, with women and girls particularly affected," said MTV Networks vice chairman Bill Roedy.

"Education is key to prevention. MTV EXIT is part of our commitment to help highlight issues affecting young people in Asia and across the world," added Roedy.

MTV EXIT is producing dedicated campaign television programming, beginning with a unique half-hour documentary for each region, versioned in the eight languages of MTV Asia and Pacific and presented by major Asian and international artists. Rain of Korea and Tata Young of Thailand will present the Korean and Thai versions respectively with more artists to be announced shortly.

The South Asia documentary features heart wrenching stories of survivors of trafficking from Nepal, Bangladesh and India. It takes a compelling look into this seedy, inhuman and exploitative world of human trafficking and shows how each one of us can help to prevent and break the chain of human trafficking. Indian actress Lara Dutta, a former Miss Universe, and a ULFA Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 will present the documentary.

The documentaries will premiere in September 2007, with fictional short films and a series of public service announcements to follow in 2007 and 2008, along with a multi-language website and live awareness and prevention events.

"USAID is funding this project with MTV because of the unique opportunity that MTV Networks provide to reach hundreds of millions of people in a region that accounts for many of the world`s trafficking victims," said USAID regional mission director Asia Olivier Carduner.

The MTV EXIT initiative across Asia and the Pacific is an expansion of the successful MTV EXIT European campaign, which has been raising awareness and increasing prevention of trafficking and exploitation in Europe since 2004. Many influential artists have supported MTV EXIT`s special programming and events in Europe, including Angelina Jolie, Helena Christensen, and R.E.M.

MTV EXIT television programming is produced rights-free and free of charge for all broadcasters and organisations.