Trafficking survivors turn saviours

CHANDREYEE GHOSE, TT, Calcutta: She was rescued from a brothel in Pune in 2011. She now lives with her mother in a village in South 24-Parganas and earns a living working in a bag factory nearby.

Life from the outside looks normal for this 28-year-old, but the trauma of her past continues to haunt. She is harassed and insulted by neighbours and members of her extended family every other day.

A few days ago, her mother was assaulted when she was at work. Four police complaints failed to stop the harassment. The young woman then approached a support group for trafficking survivors.

Since 2013, more than 100 rescued women from South 24Parganas have joined Bandhan Mukti to help victims and girls vulnerable to trafficking like they were not long ago. As their number has grown, so has their area of operation to include parts of Calcutta and North 24-Parganas.

Bandhan Mukti currently has nearly 200 members, 120 of them active.

Every month, these members leave aside their regular work and household chores to meet under the aegis of the Canning-based Goranbose Gram Bikash Kendra (GGBK), which had brought them together. The trip to the NGO's Canning office involves four to five hours of travel for some and uncomfortable questions at home for others, yet most of them look forward to it.

Bandhan Mukti works in tandem with workers of GGBK, helping in the rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked women and girls. They also monitor instances of girls going missing and connect their families to the right forum so that they can seek help.The 28-year-old trafficking survivor who has sought help will have visitors from Bandhan Mukti soon.

"We intend to go over to her house and talk to her extended family and neighbours. The villagers need to ensure that the girl is not alone," said a Bandhan Mukti member who was rescued from Pune in 2011, a year after her kidnap.

It was the support group that helped her regain the confidence in herself to start a laundry business. "I am in a position to educate my children now," said the mother of two.

It has not been an easy journey for most members of the group. The families of many of them still do not know about the horrors they have faced. Some still get suspicious looks from people in their villages. "Trust is returning, though. Distressed families now directly call us for help," said a woman from Sonakhali.

Over the years, members of the group have empowered victims to stand up for themselves after conquering depression or attempting suicide post-rescue. They have sent many rescued girls back to school or helped them start a trade. They continue to spread awareness through campaigns and street plays, speaking about their personal experiences in schools and colleges. "Our sharing of stories in schools has helped many vulnerable girls open up about the harassment they face from potential traffickers," a member said.

The members are trained by GGBK how to engage. "The newcomers initially accompany the leaders before they take part in interventions on their own," said social worker Pampa Ghosh.

A few have created smaller self-help groups in their villages. This year alone, they have prevented around 42 instances of child marriage, including in Diamond Harbour, Baruipur, Joynagar, Basanti and Canning. "We have helped rescue more than 10 boys as well," a member said.

The group has also prepared members for court battles, helped them acquire identity documents and apply for schemes and compensation. "I got my identity proof at the age of 22. Now I am advising others on how to get their Aadhaar or voter's ID," said a woman from Canning.

The women are looking forward to sharing their experiences with students of Lady Brabourne College towards the end of this month. They will also participate in a marathon and a postcard campaign in December.

"We had tried to form this support group for years, but the women were not too keen. Since 2013, survivors have become more conscious of their rights. Bandhan Mukti now wants to arrange video-conferencing for victims who cannot appear in courts in other states," said Nihar Ranjan Raptan, founder director of the NGO.