Gender Equality India Project #43207

Save runaway girls from human trafficking

by Karuna Trust

Save runaway girls from human trafficking

Project Report | Sep 30, 2020
Helping women escape violence: how social media can be a force for good.

By Erika Narkiewicz | Digital Fundraiser

Finding the courage to seek help.

Social media can be a powerful tool for good. During lockdown in India, rates of domestic abuse have risen. Eighteen year old Mithila (name changed) contacted one of our projects via Instagram with a distress message. A team member’s number was quickly given to Mithila, asking her to call or message whenever she felt safe to do so. The following highlights the urgency of need during lockdown and how quality, swift support can make the critical difference.

Mithila’s mother is a survivor of 25 years of severe domestic abuse from her husband and later also by her son, Mithila’s brother. Now 50 years old, she was afraid to talk. Mithila explained the situation had worsened due to lockdown, where her father had kept both her and her mother locked in a house away from their home, at a location which they were not very familiar with. This was done with threats and by being kept watch over by Mithila’s brother.

Mithila stayed in touch via messages. When asked, her mother told us even their extended families, both maternal and paternal, refused to intervene. Our partners liaised with One Stop Centre (a government scheme for women that enables intervention in a crisis situation).

Following the conversation with the team at One Stop Centre, they immediately went to Mithila’s place pretending to be doctors who had come for a health check up and made contact with Mithila, taking her consent to rescue her. Finally, Mithila and her mother reached our safe shelter. Both Mithila and her mother are now safe and recovering from the abuse they endured. They are also receiving legal support in order to protect others from abuse and to seek justice.

Your support helps women like Mithila and her mother, funding interventions and long-term recovery from abuse.

With gratitude,

Erika Narkiewicz

www.karuna.org

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