“I was married at my 14 as I was in love with a person whom my family rejected. Our parents didn’t allow us to stay with them. Still, I was strong enough for first 3 – 4 years till I had given birth to two girl children. But, I didn’t expect to stay away my rest of the life even from the person whom I married in lots of LOVE” Priya who is a 30 years old survivor leader of VIMUKTHI told.
“My life started teaching me many things right from change in my husband’s behaviour and his response over the responsibilities of our family and children. As a daily wage worker, he was earning some small money that was hardy meets family expenses. Being a person of illiteracy and having no skills for employment, I have had no job even I tried with few of known people in my vicinity. Finally, I got a work for daily wages in a nearby plastic bottling company. Still, we were starved for money and starting fighting with each other. He started harassing me both physically and mentally for want of money. He started alcohol and gradually became addicted. I have separated from him along with my children and living on my own at some other place” Priya agonised.
In this above context, Priya started taking loans from private money lenders for high interest rates that enmeshed her in to debt trap. When she started thinking of additional money to meet the family needs and to repay the loans, one of her tenants has taken advantage of Priya’s helpless condition and slowly trapped her and engaged her in to prostitution. Priya started earning more money than earlier. Once, she went outside by contracting a customer who in turn involved 3 more his friends without the knowledge and consent of Priya. She has been taken far away from the city and had to tolerate torture by 4 of them throughout night. Because of the stigma and discrimination over sex workers in the society, she didn’t disclose it and even to her children as she is doing her work confidentially. As affected by this incident, she had bed ridden almost for a month.
Priya after having recovered from her ill health, once she joined in VIMUKTHI’s community meeting along with one of her friends. Having impressed by VIMUKTHI’s work facilitated by HELP for those who are the rescued survivors of trafficking and victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE)/Sex Workers. She started participating in all the activities of VIMUKTHI and HELP like meetings, workshops, trainings and campaigns over addressing the issues and challenges of rescued survivors of trafficking and victims of CSE. Her courage and confidence made her to adopt such a wonderful leadership quality and evolved her to be one of the leaders in VIMUKTHI from the stage of a member in community level survivors collective. She joined as a worker in a company that preparing bags and some handy craft material as a daily wage labour and earning Rs. 4000 – 5000/- per month. She is able to send her children to schools who are at the ages of 10 and 12 respectively. Now Priya is contributing her services to the rescued survivors and victims of CSE in all over the target areas of Krishna District as a member in “Integrated Crisis Response Team” of VIMUKTHI to facilitate legal aid to those who faced crisis/incidents of all forms of violence against them. She also facilitating the community members in accessing their social entitlements like Aadhaar Cards, ration cards, bank accounts, voter IDs and for the benefits under various support services by the government and non-governmental organisations.
Priya said that, “I want to see my children in a good position where they shall be respected by the society by leading a life of dignity. But, I am bit worried about my elder child who often facing health issues and in need of medical care”. She is committed and wants to continue her services to the survivors of trafficking and victims of CSE/sex workers who are facing stigma and discrimination in the society in spite of her own vulnerable situations.