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My mother pushed me into prostitution. I was only 14

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DailyBiteOct 26, 2018 | 18:03

My mother pushed me into prostitution. I was only 14

“I was 14 when I was forced into prostitution. I continued to work under the pressure of the society and the people around me for seven years under extreme physical and mental exploitation. My body was used and degraded by men seeking sex by young girls in return of money.”

— Reema*, survivor of commercial sexual exploitation of children 

I was forced into prostitution by none other than my mother. Without a choice to go to school after Class 5 orpursue any ambition, I packed up my dreams and started earning a livelihood, as instructed by my family.

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I had heard stories of horror by other girls involved in my trade, but I didn’t know the extent to which monstrous men were willing go to seek pleasure.

At times I was beaten, I had to dance in front of my ‘clients’, lose my dignity to the violators of my body. I was not able to comprehend how my case was different from the multiple cases of rape and sexual harassment reported in the newspapers daily. I now know — these men raped me multiple times and got away with it easily. Because they had purchased sex from a child as a source of ‘pleasure’.

Hiding behind the façade of being ‘clients' or 'customers’, they raped me, sometimes more than thrice a day, for seven long years. They would specifically demand girls like me.

‘Young and fresh’, that’s how we were marketed.

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‘Young and fresh’, that’s how we were marketed. (Credit: Reuters Photo/representational)

They belonged to all economic classes, came from far-away districts. Some of them were disciplined, but most were not. How can one expect humility from any man who thinks of young girls as ‘toys of pleasure’? 

The abuse and trauma were all muffled with my sobs, which no one cared to hear. I didn’t have access to any form of communication, or a social media channel, to voice my violation. I used to wonder why my family and community had chosen this life for me, and then I understood the answer — money. I was a product that could fetch good money, because there are men out there who demand young girls for sex and are willing to pay a premium for them.

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Each day, a ‘customer’ purchased me, adding profits to a business that flourished through the physical violence meted out to me. 

I felt like a packet of biscuits — bought, broken and eaten by these men.

I started despising the work. It was suffocating me. I decided to marry and step away from this trauma.

I married Ajay, but his family couldn’t accept me because of my background. I was left on my own again.

I was fortunate to find Sudhir, who accepted me irrespective of my past, and we are now married. I now work with other victims of my community, trying to ensure that they get a better future.

It is only now that I truly understand the pain of thousands of others like me — feeling the same pain, but having no agency to express it. The #MeToo campaign has empowered me to speak about my story proudly, 10 years after the exploitation, although it continues to harrow me. 

I hope you will listen to this voice of a child who couldn’t reach out for help at the right time, because she lacked awareness. This campaign has motivated me to ask the same question — I was violated and I want justice. My predators were men who thought sex could be bought, even with a child. What about my right to live with dignity and respect?

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Why are the perpetrators of sexual violence against children not being named and shamed in public?

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How can any man feel proud of exploiting vulnerable children? (Credit: Reuters Photo/representational)

These men who continuously demand children like me are never held guilty for their heinous actions. The traffickers, sellers and buyers change, but that one ‘customer’ continues to knock at the door of a brothel, demanding children to fulfill his sinister pleasures. This demand feeds off the need to take advantage of our vulnerable socio-economic life, and our inability to voice our concerns.

Believe me when I say this — these men live among you in the society. Businessmen, salaried employees, workers, they come from all sections, but with a common trait — they seek sex from young girls and boys to feel powerful!

How can any man feel proud of exploiting vulnerable children?

As a survivor of this torment, and on behalf of the thousands of child victims trafficked to be a sex-slave every year, I want my fellow Indians to be our collective voice.

I want you to expose and punish the men who continue to rape us. Their crime is no less heinous than what happened in Unnao or Kathua. These monsters are serial offenders of POCSO and should be held accountable for their actions. I am sure that if some of them are brought to justice, others will stop demanding young girls for their pleasure.

Young girls who are subjected to repeated rape, abuse and exploitation are not child prostitutes — we are victims and survivors of child rape.

We deserve legal protection, and proactive action to curb this heinous trade.

(*Names have been changed to protect identity.)

Last updated: October 26, 2018 | 18:03
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