Justice and Care rescues and supports victims of trafficking, slavery and other abuses. We work internationally with governments and law enforcement agencies, focusing on prevention, protection and prosecution.

Monthly Round-Up - March 2015

340 Boys Rescued from Shocking Conditions in Bangle and Leather FactoriesIn the biggest case of its kind in South Asia, 340 children have been rescued from a number of bangle and leather factories in Southern India. Most were around thirteen-years-old, although some were as young as seven, and all were forced to work 16-hour days. In the bangle factories the children were made to sit hunched on the floor over a dangerous open flame, placing tiny mirror pieces into hot clay.

The children were rescued by the police as part of a government initiative called Operation Smile, which aims to locate India’s missing children. When our team arrived they found the conditions in the factories were appalling, with around 30 boys living together in each establishment. All worked and slept in the same dirty room, with

only one tiny bathroom. The water they were given to drink was unclean and they were only allowed to leave the premises, under strict supervision, for a couple of hours on a Sunday. Most of the boys had been there for a number of months, although some for over a year. All ended up there are a result of deception, with some taken from their homes on the promise of paid work and others kidnapped and taken to the factories.

Our doctors found that many of the boys were suffering from anaemia and a Vitamin A deficiency. Others had various health problems, ranging from skin infections, malaria and TB, to bone fractures. For some of the boys, the stress of sitting in the same position for hours on end had caused long-term deformity. One young boy’s neck was so stiff he was unable to move it from side to side. Another had bowlegs from sitting cross-legged on the floor.

Thanks to relentless efforts by the Justice and Care team, the boys have received our support at every step of the way, from counselling and medical attention to proper home investigations and repatriations, ensuring each and every child has a safe home to return to. 274 boys have now been repatriated to Bihar and 57 to West Bengal. The remaining children are from other States across India, and will be returning home shortly.

None of this would have been possible without strong support from the State governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. We are specifically grateful for the pro-active approach of the Department of Social Welfare, the Department of Women and Child Development, and the local Child Welfare Committees, which has enabled us to provide the best possible levels of support to the survivors.

Yet, our work doesn’t end there. As a result of the rescue, 28 perpetrators have been arrested on human slavery charges and another four are wanted by the police. Our lawyers are hard at work, alongside the Public Prosecutors, ensuring those responsible are brought to justice. In addition, our team will continue to work alongside and support the boys. The overwhelming majority come from extremely poor and remote areas, with limited access to any schooling. 40% of those rescued were found to be completely illiterate, with over half never having attended school. Therefore, how they are supported in their home state is essential; not only for their own safety, but also to ensure they can go on to become contributing members to society.

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Lives saved

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Women and children

supported in our Care and

Protection Programme

Prosecution cases handled

Women and children

repatriated home

Criminalsconvicted Police

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Since September 2008:

Quote of the Month

“It always seems impossible until it’s done” - Nelson Mandela

One Girl’s Journey of HopeShama* was only 16 when she was married off to an older man. As an orphan, she was living with her aunt and uncle who were keen for her to have a family of her own. Sadly, this man’s intentions were not to love and support Shama. After only a year of marriage he fell ill, and sold her to a brothel to cover his medical expenses.

Thankfully, Shama was rescued by the police and Justice and Care in early 2013. She had been trapped and sexually exploited in the brothel for two weeks. Four people were arrested for abusing her - the brothel owner, two traffickers, and her husband. The case is currently due to come to trial.

At the time of Shama’s rescue she found it hard to accept that her husband had sold her and she wanted to return to him. However,

since her rescue, Shama has been on a significant personal journey. She has received counselling and actively taken part in a number of training activities, including jewellery making, computer skills, and English classes. Perhaps her biggest breakthrough came when she attended an adventure camp run by one of our partner organisations. Shama was able to meet and relate to others who had been through the same ordeal, and gained confidence through new activities like horse riding and swimming.

Shama has also returned to school and is currently preparing for her 10th Standard exams, alongside attending tailoring classes. One of our social workers remarked at the change she’s seen in Shama, “At first she was very timid and had a lot of self doubt. Yet, today she is a bold young woman who knows how to take care of herself.”

Shama no longer has thoughts of returning to the man responsible for her abuse, and instead aims to complete her education and become self-sufficient. We will continue to stand alongside Shama on her journey, while ensuring her abusers are brought to book.

*Names changed to protect identity and images used for illustrative purposes

Justice and Care is a project of Waste Management Society Waste Management Society is registered under Section 21 of the Societies Registration Act (1860), Registration No. MAH 186/2002 and under No. 29 of the Bombay Public Trust Act 1950, Registration No. F 7098(Y). Registered Address: 13 Ruikarwadi, Civil Lines, Yavatmal, Tal & District, Yavatmal - 445 001