Growing up in a community where women were destined commodities of sex trade, Ria defied expectations from a very young age. Our three-part interview narrates her life-altering experiences and her journey towards freedom from a predetermined fate.
A battle she has fought bravely since she was merely a 12-years old child, continues even today.
Q. Having been through this experience, what does justice mean to you?
Previously, I believed justice was revenge—imprisoning the accused and letting them suffer. However, I realized the processes within the criminal justice system are complex. They could get a bail and continue their criminal activities, including trafficking, with minimum deterrence. Imprisoning a few individuals wouldn’t fundamentally change the system. Instead, true justice for me lies in ending this harmful tradition. Punishing individual families isn’t the solution; it’s about the change from within the community, to prevent girls from entering the misery of exploitation.
I believe that consent is paramount. A friend who experienced this firsthand described how customers often brought their own drugs, compelling her and others to consume these drugs. Stopping this practice entirely is nearly impossible, but if the girls in this community begin to assert their right to say no, and when their choices are respected, that would constitute a form of justice for me.
Q. What are your suggestions for the stakeholders that you came in contact with like Police?
The way police speak to victims, especially victims of trafficking, is often abusive. There was a lot of blaming and shaming which took place when I came in contact with them. A victim should be treated with dignity regardless of their background or association with a certain community. The police’s attitude and behavior need a drastic change.
Corruption is another major issue. While struggling to report my case, I discovered that the police station may have an agent who leaks information about cases. In my case, this agent within the police station helped my family. These agents seem to have power and immunity against law. This relationship between police and agents creates additional problems for victims due to their vested interests. At least the departments that work with children need to be sensitive and free from bias.
Q. What are your suggestions for the courts?
I’ve been impressed by judges’ efforts to support victims, especially when I read their judgments these days. However, my own experience was quite different. My statement before the Magistrate was a missed opportunity. I wanted to change it, but my lawyer explained the risks of appearing untruthful. I believe the magistrate should have paid closer attention to the nature of my case considering the statement’s importance. The Magistrate should be more proactive by asking the family to not be a part of the process and speak to the child alone, especially in cases that involve families as part of the case. This could have significantly impacted my case.
The Magistrate should tailor guidelines and their approach based on individual circumstances. Victims are often scared and intimidated. The court needs to create a safe space where victims feel heard, believed, and reassured that the court has the highest authority to ensure justice.
Q. Since CWC is the prime body to make decisions concerning rehabilitation of a child in need of care and protection, what are your suggestions for them?
When I had lost hope in the justice process, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) came through differently. As I shared before, they tried to understand my case properly and supported me. However, at times, I’ve felt that they were difficult to approach and understand. There were a lot of questions which were left unanswered. The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) can be strict, but sometimes they’re helpful too. While I was in their care, I felt mistreated at times. Now, looking back, I understand they had procedures to follow. My suggestion is that they explain these procedures to victims in a kinder and simple way instead of being hasty and insensitive. Many girls come from situations of control and abuse. When they encounter insensitivity at the CWC or at any other system, it can feel like another instance of a similar treatment.
Q. Any suggestions for the Support Person that was assigned in your case?
The presence of a Support Person helped me regain my mental stability. They helped me rebuild my self-worth and recognize my skills. They also kept me updated on my case and provided legal aid by linking me to a pro-bono lawyer. Keeping in regular touch with the Support Person was a huge support for my emotional well-being. I saw the effort they put in by respecting my privacy and dignity and that made me feel respected.
Q. You have interacted with many institutions including non-governmental organizations in the journey of your rehabilitation. Do you have any suggestions for them?
After leaving the children’s home, I connected with two-three Non-Governmental Organizations focusing on rehabilitating trafficking survivors. They have been supporting my education and other basic necessities as well. Largely, I found that there is a huge need for the stakeholders to be more sensitive to the circumstances of each individual, whether it’s financial, health or any other concerns. A one-size-fits-all approach often overlooks individual needs, often leading to misunderstanding and distrust.
Moreover, stakeholders often seek information from the victims which they may not be comfortable sharing. The provision of rehabilitative support is contingent when the stakeholder has access to such information or the victim’s full agreement to sharing this information. This creates a challenging dynamic where survivors must decide between disclosing sensitive details and accessing necessary assistance. There should be an ecosystem of trust and patience. A trauma-informed approach is required to understand why a victim of trafficking might take time to share private information amongst other things. Across stakeholder groups, I wish the approach could be more tailored and individualized depending on a person’s strength, skills, fear, trauma, etc.
Q. Often, discussions around supporting victims of commercial sexual exploitation focus solely on education, health, and employment. In your experience, what are other areas of support that a victim may require in the process of their rehabilitation?
Individuals exiting the child care system and transitioning directly to an independent life require substantial support to establish a sustaining life. I often found myself seeking support for basic necessities like ration, cooking gas, transportation etc. NGOs need to provide a safety net for these individuals transitioning out, and living alone, at least for a certain amount of time. While documentation is crucial for access to resources, guidance is paramount. I had some support and guidance from well-wishers, but that may not be the case for everyone. Without guidance, finding safe housing and navigating everyday life can be overwhelming.
Q. Can you explain why some victims would prefer independent living over institutional placement, especially considering the challenges of independent life?
Many of us don’t like being in institutions as we yearn to be able to live life freely. While institutions may provide a safe haven from those who wish to harm us, they also feel restrictive. Ideally, there should be a system that offers support and guidance while also promoting independence. Further, micromanagement within institutions and lack of participation in any decision-making processes pushes us more towards wanting to live independently. It feels like being punished and also feels like being a burden within institutions.
When we talk about children’s homes, more personal space could be beneficial. While rules are essential for children’s homes to function smoothly, they shouldn’t be overly restrictive or controlling. Even with a calm demeanor, their actions often convey a question about one’s presence. It feels like interference and complete lack of personal boundaries.
Q. What are your career aspirations moving forward?
I remember it was on the day of International Women’s Day a few years ago, an NGO had organized an event in the Children’s home I was residing in. As a part of their event, they had put up various posters of women leaders in India. Inspired by their achievements, I started thinking if they can become independent and strong, I can do it too. As I didn’t receive much support from the police or the legal system, I felt empowered to pursue a career in the legal field. I wanted to prove that women can be anything they want to be. My goal is to become a capable advocate to support myself and to support others in seeking justice.
After facing years of hardship and some truly searing experiences, I realized I must take charge. It isn’t just about changing my circumstances; it is about being equipped against the evil of human trafficking. I am also fuelled by a righteous rage of a woman who refuses to accept the injustice any longer. I know that I have the strength to overcome it, so I have decided to take charge of my journey and become my own savior.
Note: Any personally identifiable information has been modified to protect the individuals’ identities.
Interview Coordination and Execution: Geetarani Lourembam
Transcription: Saryu Nahar
Editing and Publication: Varsha Alimchandani
Review and Input: Kashina Kareem & Geetarani Lourembam
Special Thanks to: Ria
