look news india
Human trafficking is a big shock for any person, but an even bigger shock is when people around you start looking at you with bad intentions, in such a situation it becomes difficult to make life normal. Survivors of human trafficking and their mental health: Human trafficking is a big crime which completely changes the lives of many children, old people and youth. Some victims remain trapped in this quagmire for the rest of their lives, where they are treated like animals, or forced into a world of crime. Some lucky people are saved by the police, but even after returning home the problems do not go away. People in their society view the survivors negatively and make various kinds of allegations, which impacts their mental health. Some people become so upset that they start thinking about suicide. Here we will know about those 2 incidents in which we will get a chance to understand the struggle of people rescued from human trafficking.
Changes in life due to human trafficking
“When I woke up, I was on a train, far away from home,” recalls Pooja (name changed), who at the young age of 17 was trafficked by a friend, who she met online just a few months ago. Was found. She had no idea that the person she trusted so much would betray her so brutally. His friend had promised him a job at a call centre, claiming it would help him support his family, but he was drugged and taken from West Bengal to Ahmedabad during the journey.
It has a negative impact on mental health
This horrific experience took a toll on Pooja's mental health. Even after being rescued, she continued to suffer from flashbacks, nightmares, and extreme anxiety. The betrayal of the person she trusted caused her immense mental stress, leaving her in a state of fear and anxiety. The trauma of trafficking, exploitation and betrayal not only broke her trust but also affected her emotional well-being, resulting in long-term mental health struggles.
Human trafficking cases are increasing
She is not alone in experiencing such an incident, but multiple reports suggest that after being rescued, survivors often face a lack of access to counseling or mental health professionals during rehabilitation. This lack of support can compound the trauma they suffer, making their recovery even more challenging. According to the 2022 report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 2,250 cases of human trafficking were reported in the year 2022, which is 2.8% more than the 2,189 cases reported in 2021. Of the 6,036 victims of the reported cases, 2,878 were children and 3,158 were adults.
Trouble occurs even after rescue
Pooja's ordeal lasted for four months, during which she was taken to Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai and then Kolkata. In 2017, after several months of torture, she was finally rescued from West Bengal, where her kidnappers had hidden her, thinking her family would never be able to find her. Yet when she returned home, society's judgment further increased her suffering.
It is not easy to return to normal life
After her rescue, Pooja spent six months with her aunt in Kolkata, where she faced stigma and harsh accusations from her community. She was labeled and blamed for events that were beyond her control. This emotional trauma pushed him to the brink of suicide. Yet with the unwavering support of her family, Pooja gradually regained her strength and courage. After months of mental anguish, she finally decided to return to her community and rebuild her life.
Life doesn't stop even after a stroke
Pooja did not lose hope. She married a man who supported her every step of the way. Today, they have been married for 8 years and have a 6-year-old son. Pooja is now pursuing her degree in Sociology, fulfilling a dream she once thought was lost. She is also an active member of ILFAT, a national platform run by trafficking survivors, and works with Bijoyini, a local group in West Bengal to raise awareness about human trafficking in schools, panchayats and villages. Once driven to the brink of taking her own life, she now mentors trafficking survivors through her knowledge, using her story to help others heal.
Child trafficking is also a matter of concern
Sunil Kumar's (name changed) experience is similar to Pooja's in many ways. At the age of 14, she was taken to Jaipur from a boarding school in Bihar with false promises of work and was forced to work 12 to 18 hours a day in a bangle making factory. The four months he spent in the factory felt like a lifetime to Sunil as he and the other children endured cruelty, were given very little food and very little rest. One day the police raided the factory and rescued them, and Sunil was placed under child protection for four months.
mental trauma causes suffering
When he returned he had to face new challenges. His community declared him a criminal and said, “He has come out of jail, he is a prisoner”. At the age of 14, Sunil was too young to understand what had happened to him and was confused, embarrassed, and felt guilty for the atrocities he had committed. Mentally exhausted, he felt that his life was over.
In 2020, a local group called 'Vijeeta' in Bihar found Sunil and provided him with much-needed help. In 2021, he joined 'ILFAT' and started advocating for the rights of survivors of human trafficking, child labor and child marriage. Now, at 19, Sunil helps rescued children deal with mental health challenges and works hard to raise awareness in schools and villages about the dangers of human trafficking.
life is the name of living
Both Pooja and Sunil's stories highlight not only the physical abuse faced by trafficking survivors, but also the deep emotional and mental wounds that persist long after they are rescued. Their experiences remind us of the importance of addressing the mental health struggles of trafficking survivors and ensuring they get what they need to rebuild their lives.