As a little girl, Preeti* enjoyed attending school. A bright student in her class, she had dreams of becoming an engineer. Unfortunately, due to the poor financial conditions of her family, at the age of 14, she was taken out of school. Her dreams of becoming an engineer seemed lost. The youngest of three siblings, Preeti began working with her mother to help support the family and continued studying through tutoring classes. Her father did little to contribute and spent most of what he earned on alcohol. He physically abused Preeti, her mother and brothers. Living in a small house in Delhi, she had no privacy to escape the toxic environment.
Preeti was studying one night when her father returned home drunk and began physically abusing the family. Later that night, he sexually assaulted her. Frightened and confused, Preeti was not sure how to react. A few days later, she was raped again and it soon became a regular occurrence. Preeti was threatened by her father not to share the incidents with anyone or he would kill her mother and brothers. Living with this fear, she silently endured continuing sexual abuse for over two years.
One day after Preeti’s mother and brothers left for work her father attempted to sexually abuse her again. That day, she managed to escape her father and later at tutoring classes disclosed to her teacher the trauma she was facing at home. The teacher forwarded the information to the police in compliance with her duty to report incidents of child sexual assault as mandated under the POCSO (The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act of 2012. A first information report (FIR) was registered by the police and consequently the accused, Preeti’s father, was arrested and taken into custody.
The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) ordered JVI’s partner organization, Counsel to Secure Justice (CSJ), to provide a social worker as a support to Preeti. A JVI sponsored lawyer assisted the prosecution to ensure quality legal services to bring justice. Preeti was extremely afraid of her father and was worried he would be released and try to harm her and her family again. However, the JVI lawyer opposed every bail application filed on behalf of the accused to ensure that he would remain in custody. The JVI lawyer counselled Preeti, as well as her family members regularly to help them understand the trial process so they would be comfortable while deposing in court.
For a 16 year old, Preeti showed immense courage and determination as she dealt with the daunting legal proceedings. She had full faith in the criminal justice system because of the preparation and care she had received from the CSJ social worker and JVI lawyer.
In the midst of this ongoing trial, India went into a lockdown due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the case stalled for many months. During this time, Preeti faced pressure from her father’s side of the family to withdraw the case, but she remained undeterred. The CSJ social worker and the JVI lawyer constantly kept in touch with her to provide her the encouragement and support she needed.
The case was overseen by a judge who expressed a genuine concern for Preeti and the well being of her mother and siblings. The judge also ensured Preeti was only called to court when it was absolutely necessary, minimizing her re-living the trauma. In November 2021, the trial was at the final stage and the JVI lawyer along with the Public Prosecutor for the State argued on behalf of Preeti. The judge found merit in their arguments and the evidence produced by them resulted in a life imprisonment conviction of Preeti’s father. The judge also granted Preeti Rs. 7 lakh (approximately $9,700) as victim compensation.
Cases like these are hard to prosecute in court given the emotional toll it takes on a survivor, but Preeti understood her role in this situation in bringing justice not only for herself, but also for her mother and siblings. “Legally I represented her in court, but this is her win”, said the JVI lawyer.
Preeti is now 18 years old and is currently residing in an aftercare home. She has completed her 10th grade education with good marks and is dedicated to working towards her dream of becoming an engineer. She remains in touch with her mother and siblings but wishes to continue staying at the aftercare home where she has been taking online classes and participating in other activities.
*name changed to protect confidentiality
