In the photos the traffickers used to advertise her, Alagini* wore a painfully telling t-shirt emblazoned with two words: “Baby Girl.”
Alagini was just 16. Along with another teenage girl and two young women in their early 20s, Alagini had been trafficked from Bangladesh. They’d been manipulated away from their homes with the promise of reputable work. Instead, they were working in two different brothels, restricted from leaving the premises.
They’d hoped to expand their options. Instead, their ability to choose had shrunk to nearly nothing.
Fortunately, The Exodus Road’s India team has an extensive network of trusted informants. Informants passed word along to investigators: we’ve seen minors advertised for sexual services.
That allowed us to look into the case, compiling evidence for law enforcement. Police quickly acted, entering the brothels where these four young women were being exploited. Government social workers were present to support the survivors emotionally as the four men who had trafficked them were arrested.
Now, the brothels are closed. If they are convicted, the perpetrators face 10-12 years in prison and a hefty fine.
“Whenever a minor girl is rescued, it’s a joy to us,” our India country director reflected as he wrapped up the case. “We want to keep fighting, constantly.”
Alagini and the other three survivors are being cared for in aftercare homes. Thanks to the way you support The Exodus Road’s teams, Alagini can be treated like she is her age again — still a girl.
