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“One day, I had to cover a celebrity who was going to be in a red light area for an event. When I got there, I saw a young girl, who seemed to be about 13 years old. When I asked her where her mom was, she said she was from Nepal and had come here to work, but was sold instead. Before I could do or say anything, I was asked to get out. My husband and I decided to tell my contacts in the police and he went with them to rescue the girl. But when they got there, they found 15 other girls who wanted to run away. He convinced the cops to save them all. That day, we realised we had to do something to help other young girls in the same situation." - Triveni Acharya, founder, The Rescue Foundation
Annually, over 5000-7000 girls are trafficked into the red-light districts in Indian cities. Many of these girls are barely 9 to 10 years old. Only hapless victims, they are locked up for days, starved, beaten, burned with cigarettes and mass raped until they learn to service up to 25 clients a day.
Rescue Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation is rescuing, rehabilitating female victims of sex-trafficking and re-integrating them into mainstream society. Established in 2000 by Late Balakrishna Achary and his wife, Triveni, the organisation operates 4 well-equipped facilities in Maharashtra and Delhi, and has rescued and rehabilitated over 6,000 girls through their integrated safe housing programs for both minor and major survivors.
Late Balakrishna Acharya with his wife,TriveniBalkrishna & Triveni dived headfirst in the underbelly of the sinister world of trafficking and started to rescue hundreds of female trafficking victims. Their names came to be known for the work they were doing, and and their success gradually drew the support of many who volunteered to contribute to their cause. In 2003, with the support of several key partners, the first Shelter home, a safe haven for 100 survivors was inaugurated, in Kandivali, Mumbai.
"Some have been sold by their families, some by their lovers. The girls that we rescue are extremely vulnerable and find it hard to trust anyone. They wonder what will happen to them now that they are finally free. On top of that, at the brothels that they were held captive in, they were turned into drug addicts, alcoholics and chain smokers. They want freedom from all of that and tell me I am their only hope." - Triveni
The couple often found themselves being threatened through calls and letters for the work they were doing. They were risking their lives evey day, as they fought and rallied against sex-trafficking head-on. But their fears soon turned into reality, when in 2005, Balkrishna lost his life in a fatal accident he was returning home from a rescue mission. It was a very dark time for the organisation. But that did not stop Triveni from carrying out her mission. She mourned her husband's loss for a period, but soon strengthened her resolve to continue on the path they had started together.
"It’s been 17 years since I lost him. I’ve faced a lot of hardships along the way, seen the worst kind of people doing the worst kind of things. But with every girl we save and every convict we bring to justice–I can feel him by my side, holding me, telling me that we’ve got to keep fighting, no matter what.” - Triveni
Rescue Foundations investigations team works all year round, across the country. They receive missing reports from NGO partners, police departments and family members and conduct operations accordingly. Survivors are entered into holistic rehabilitation programs that begin with psychosocial counselling and healthcare. During the course of their stay, they are also trained in several vocation and skills, while formal and informal education is a priority. Legal aid is provided so as to prosecute accused perpetrators.
Based on court orders, and upon completion of the rehabilitation period, survivors are sent back to their homes via local NGO’s and police. Cross border repatriation is made possible by maintaining relationships with foreign governments & embassies. The oganisation takes care of the victim from the day she is rescued till the time she turns 18 and can stand on her own feet. They also give a monthly update report of the girls' welfare to the court, and also provide accomodation for women and girls who have been abandoned by their family, at their long-stay shelter home.
"Even today, thousands of girls are stuck in the forced prostitution racket. We want to save all those lives that are still stuck in that hell. We will rescue them and give them a new life. But we can't do it withoutyour help." - Triveni
Charity No : 319201431163
Every rupee counts, for the rescue and upbringing of these girls. Click here and donate to support Rescue Foundation in their noble mission.
