Sunita* is 16, although she looks much younger. She lives in India’s Orissa State, and is from the indigenous Kandha tribe. Like most tribals, her family is impoverished. Victims of sectarian violence in 2007-8, they had to leave their home and lost everything.

In December 2009, Sunita was repeatedly approached by a woman trying to persuade her to go to Delhi to work in the gardens of a religious centre. It was very appealing - six months’ work for 12,000 Rupees. It would make a huge difference for her family, and although not convinced at first, Sunita’s resistance wilted. By now, Sunita’s 18-year-old sister and two other friends had also been enticed by the offer.

[sexual abuse]

They were met in Delhi by Divanshu*, who ran the placement agency that had arranged the work. Days later, the four girls were forced to drink alcohol when friends of Divanshu visited his house for a party.  The music was turned up so no-one would hear what was happening. Sunita was physically abused, while the other three girls were taken outside and sexually assaulted. Over the next week, Divanshu continually attempted to rape Sunita. Eventually, she was placed in domestic service with Jolly* and his family, while the other three girls were sold.

For Sunita, the horror was just beginning. Forced to work from 5am to midnight each day, Sunita was given just two chapattis and, if she was lucky, the dinner leftovers for food. Sunita was regularly beaten by Jolly’s wife and his sons attacked and molested her. She tried to flee, but was quickly caught and brought back to the nightmare.

[frantic search]

Sunita had been warned by her mother, Hasina*, not to be deceived by these enticing offers. When her parents returned from visiting their son, to discover both daughters were missing, they were distraught. Hasina desperately searched nearby villages and towns for any sign of Sunita.

Eventually, Sunita managed to phone a shopkeeper in the town where her family lived. Hasina kept trying the number, until she reached Divanshu who reluctantly passed the phone to Sunita. He snatched it back when Sunita blurted out that she had been trafficked and abused. Hasina was distraught, but kept trying to make further contact. Eventually she was given a number for Sunita’s sister, who reported a similar story.

[police inaction]

The girls’ parents contacted the police and local officials, but they refused to take action. Weeks later, one of the other girls managed to escape and arrived back home. Clearly traumatised, no-one could get any information from her besides one of the traffickers’ phone number. The police still refused to take action.

At the end of July, there was a breakthrough. Somehow Sunita managed to contact her mother, supplying two phone numbers and an address in Delhi. Despite lacking confidence, Hasina was determined to find her daughters. She approached some human rights lawyers, who offered to help and put her in contact act with our colleagues in Delhi who put together a rescue team.

[rescue]

In August 2010, the team set out to retrieve all four girls. At 6pm, while the family watched television, Sunita was sitting outside the house where she was serving. Seeing Sunita, Hasina ran so quickly that she slipped over in her desperation to get to her. Sunita however was traumatised and continued to cry and shake. With Sunita safe, the team went on to where her sister was being kept. News of the raid was spreading though. Her sister had disappeared within an hour of the first raid, according to the family where she had been working.

Sunita was taken to the police station and made a statement. It wasn’t until the following morning though that a policewoman could be found and a medical examination conducted. The newly reunited mother and daughter had to wait hours more until they were told that their complaint would not be registered. The police claimed there was insufficient evidence, that her injuries were minor and that Divanshu  was a legitimate placement agent, not a trafficker. One police officer tried to intimidate Hasina and force her to retract the charges. Dissatisfied with this response, the team approached an Assistant Commissioner. Despite reassurances, no action was taken, and no-one from the police was willing to meet them again. Having not eaten or slept for 24 hours, Sunita and Hasina were exhausted. They were taken to one of our refuge shelters to recover and receive care.

[refuge shelter]

Sunita has been in the refuge for ten months. She is doing well and looks completely different from the day of the rescue. Sunita is now at school and learning English to improve her employment prospects. We are hoping to raise funds so the family, with an elderly father, can buy some land and live safely together. The team in Delhi have managed to win an award from court for the wages that Sunita should have received for her work. The household had paid the wages to the placement agency, but neither Sunita nor her parents received anything.

[missing]

Despite this upturn, a dark cloud remains: Sunita’s sister is still missing. Our Indian colleagues thought they had made a breakthrough when a girl was found in Goa, but it was a false alarm. The Human Rights Law Network, who have taken up the case, have obtained court orders for the police to arrest Divanshu and to find Sunita’s sister and the other missing girl – the police have to regularly report on their progress to the court. The Delhi court has also issued an order for the Orissa authorities to find the missing girls. Sunita and her mother are hoping for a happy ending.

This story illustrates the desperate situation of many Dalits and Tribals (Adivasi) in India, particularly women and children. It shows the challenges they face in obtaining justice, but also a mother’s determination against the odds to find a daughter she thought she had lost forever.

Find out more about our refuge shelters**.

Find out how you can join our campaign.

Find out how you can donate to our on-the-ground anti-trafficking programmes in India.

* names changed

** run by our Indian partners, Operation Mercy India Foundation