Special Initiative for Girls No Abuse for Life

Hi Everyone

I hope that this update finds you well.

Here at the Junction we are as busy as ever with many missing lost abandoned and trafficked children being referred to us.

 I want to let you know that the special matching donation appeal for this project on GlobalGiving was very helpful to us and I especially want to thank Ellen and her group in the Netherlands and all the others that helped .

Sadly the violence and rape towards young girls and women continues in the state. I want to tell you just one story this week. It was written by Priyanka , (we have changed the name) and translated from a Hindi and obviously Priyanka has given her full consent for use to share her story.

My name is Priyanka .I am 16 years of age. 

I am educated to class 10.

In my village I would go the river for call of nature as we don't have toilets in this our village .

I was pounced on by a group of boys I recognised from a nearby village and I was raped. There were five of them.

They covered my mouth to stifle my screams .There was a lot of blood. I passed out.

 I remember after some time being carried to my house by my family

In the days that followed my father was shaking with anger. The boys that did this to me were from a high caste powerfull family. My father feared reprisals for all of us if he went to the Police. 

We are very poor and have no power.

Then in our local market one month later there was a stall from childline .I spoke to the woman there and she explained about the 1098 number free of cost to use for children in trouble.

I went home and some days later I called that number .They were very kind. 

After talking for some time I told them about the rape. 

They said someone will come to your house the very next day.

Two women came to see me with a woman police officer but not in uniform and they took all the details .

They told me don't worry we are here to help. 

Over the next few days they asked me if I would like to stay at Rescue Junction for a while and do a craft course and get support from other girls and staff. I was very happy to go and I feel safe here.

With their support I feel strong enough to bring criminal charges but actually the government child protection department  are bringing the charges with my consent and my support. The boys have been arrested. I understand now that I was not the only girl they attacked.

The family concerned have been warned not to take any actions against me or my family otherwise immediate imprisonment will follow.

The thing is without Rescue Junction I don't think there would have been any consequences for these boys.

I could never have done it alone 

Priyanka 

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT

Riya

Links:

• Our Website