Rescuing victims of human trafficking is only half the battle. An integral aspect to JVI’s work is the rehabilitation of these survivors through aftercare. The journey to recovery can be long and complex. Renuka’s* story provides a glimpse of the many challenges survivors face as they navigate life after slavery.
After being rescued from bonded labor in 2017, Renuka struggled with an inferiority complex. The abuse and torture she endured in slavery caused significant trauma, impacting her ability to reintegrate into society. For example, when her husband opened a small grocery store as a means to a dignified livelihood, Renuka had severe anxiety about speaking to customers. Through trauma counseling and support provided by JVI partners, she slowly began to overcome her fears and was able to play a key role in store management. A huge victory was her ability to negotiate with vendors. It seemed life was looking up for Renuka and her family. Then the pandemic hit.
The family was forced to close the store and move to Delhi in search of work. Moving from a rural area to one of the biggest cities in the world was daunting for Renuka, but the family was desperate. Renuka’s husband took a job as a gardener with the government and was employed to maintain public spaces. Renuka took a similar job, but was not able to work closely with her husband any longer. This made her feel uneasy given her past trauma.
However, Renuka once again preserved and stepped up to the challenge. Throughout the pandemic, while many went jobless, Renuka remained employed to ensure her family had food, safe housing, water, and electricity. Renuka is now saving up to buy land in Bihar where she and her husband can build a house and settle down again in a rural area.
Renuka’s resilience is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope still remains.
