Once forced into prostitution, their lives change forever after being rescued by the crime branch unit
The Social Service Branch (SSB) of the Mumbai crime branch at Crawford Market has a new attraction: a frame filled with an emotional message. It's a story of thanksgiving, grit and bouncing back from extreme adversity.
The frame was gifted to SSB officials by five girls and the message in it reads: "Thank you for saving our lives. Praying for you that you will rescue more girls like me."
These girls, hailing from different parts of the country, were once victims of human trafficking and forced into prostitution. They were rescued by SSB officials over a period of time. One was from Hyderabad and the other from Karnataka.
One of them, who was rescued in 2006-07, is studying law, another girl, rescued in 2009, has cleared her draughtsmanship course. A third one has completed her nursing programme in July last year.
Once rescued, these girls were sent to rehabilitation centres and they decided to make their own careers. One of them is now an advocate.
"Rescued girls are sent to rehabilitation centres and with the help of NGOs, efforts are made to change their lives," said assistant commissioner of police Rajdoot Rupwate.
International Mission Justice (IMJ) is an organisation that played a crucial role in changing the lives of these five girls. IMJ works with the government, police and other stakeholders to work for rehabilitation, legal aid, medical services, counselling, training and education of such victims.
"If the girls get the required support and motivation, they would go out to the world and seek an alternative life. These victims lose hope, confidence and courage to pursue a good life. If someone gives them hope and courage, things can change. Simultaneously, the response of victims also matters a lot," said an official associated with IMJ.
"Our minimum time-frame of holding the hands of a victim is two years. During this time, we provide trauma counselling," she said.
"When the girls visited our office recently and handed over the frame, it was indeed an emotional moment for our entire team and the Mumbai police. These girls look to us as their brothers who helped them get out of their dark past. This is the best gift and compliment we would have got," said an SSB officer. As for the girls, it's a story of if there's a will, there's a way.
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