Pooja* has endured a journey marked by deception and hardship since the age of 15, when she and her friend were sold into captivity on a misleading promise of a better life by a man who offered each of them $3,300. She and her friend had been working in a packaging factory when they met a man at a nearby market. Unaware of his intentions, they befriended him and were trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation. Pooja was coerced into engaging customers relentlessly with only an hour respite in her demanding schedule, until she was rescued in 2018 after six months in captivity.
For five years after her rescue, Pooja persevered in trying to return to her parents, but her family showed no interest in reuniting. With support from JVI Justice Hub partners and local authorities, she found refuge in a shelter, continued her education, and embraced Zumba dance. A compensation of INR 100,000 (about $1,200) was ordered by the court, and she was assisted with ongoing court proceedings and setting up identification documents and a bank account.
Despite numerous obstacles in the trial process, which is ongoing to this day, Pooja continues her quest for justice by taking actions to further the prosecution of her perpetrator and obtain compensation. As she continues her education and extracurricular activities, Pooja’s story reflects the human spirit’s triumph over exploitation and illustrates the impact of collective efforts in combating such atrocities.
*Name changed to protect identity
