These stories are part of a nationwide reporting project by the People’s Archive of Rural India, focusing on the social, institutional, and structural barriers to care faced by survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This initiative is supported by Doctors Without Borders India.
Sumit’s journey to meet himself
In Banswara: domestic ties that bind and gag
Sexual and gender-based violence can manifest in many forms. From familial resistance to endless medico-legal red tape, Sumit has traversed an arduous journey to reclaim his gender identity, and he has miles to go.
In Kushalgarh tehsil, Diya, a 19-year-old Bhil, was kidnapped, held hostage, made to work, violently abused, abandoned and then allegedly gangraped when she tried to protest against her situation. A number of cases like hers, are blurring the lines between trafficking and smuggling of young girls, under the cover of marriage
'I don't want to go home'
‘They would keep me barefoot’
Sexual and gender-based violence is often inflicted by relatives and known people. That’s what happened to Komal, a young girl from Assam who finally ‘escaped’ to the brothels of Delhi. Rescued for the second time in her life, the police are sending her back home where her alleged rapist lives.
Trafficking victim Kajri pieces together the last 10 years of her life. Her father seeks help from lawyers, the police and courts, but no one is listening.
In the line of duty
When constable Damini was allegedly raped at work by three people, including her superior police officer, she was faced with a system rigged against her. This is the story of her ongoing fight for justice.
