Trafficking does not discriminate based on age. Pari (a pseudonym) was just 7 years old, but she was being trafficked on the streets of a city in India alongside three other adult women.
An informant noticed that there seemed to be minors being offered for sex, and they reached out to The Exodus Road’s India team for help. Our team responded rapidly, coordinating with local law enforcement to gather additional information.
An informant noticed that there seemed to be minors being offered for sex, and they reached out to The Exodus Road’s India team for help. (Image representative.)
When police arrived in the area, they found Pari and the women who were being trafficked with her. They also found the woman who had been selling them for sex and immediately arrested her. The following day, they were able to arrest two additional accomplices.
Meanwhile, the survivors were scared and confused. At first, they did not know if they could trust the police; the trafficker had controlled them so thoroughly that they were even asking to go back to her. But The Exodus Road’s social worker is an expert at offering emotional support to vulnerable survivors. She reassured them: You’re not in trouble. You’re safe with us. We’re going to make sure that you stay free.
The survivors were calmed by her words and are now safely recovering in a government aftercare shelter. Their homes will be assessed to ensure they have safe places to return to.
Pari has already lost some of her childhood to the cruel cycle of exploitation. Thanks to this community, she can spend the rest of her coming-of-age in freedom!
