Empowering jiva through
healing & hope
Jiva, a young girl with hearing impairment, was subjected to sexual abuse that profoundly affected her physical and emotional well-being.
Empowering jiva through healing & Hope
Jiva, a young girl with hearing impairment, was subjected to sexual abuse that profoundly affected her physical and emotional well-being. Her health deteriorated, and she required extended medical attention due to the traumatic incident she had endured.
After the Initial conversation with Jiva, the social worker assessed the need of the survivor as follows:
1.Ensure Jiva’s health and safety. Assist Jiva in recording the 161 statement to aid the legal proceedings against her abuser.
2.Offer the necessary support to help Jiva cope with the trauma.
3.Engage and involve Jiva’s mother in the recovery process.
4.Explore opportunities to receive financial assistance under Manodhairya for Jiva’s future well-being.
Use of Storytelling method to record the child’s 161 (FIR at Police station) & 164 (Statement in the court) statements.
The social worker played a pivotal role in ensuring Jiva’s comfort and cooperation during the FIR & Court proceedings. Recognizing Jiva’s hearing impairment, the social worker employed creative methods, such as storytelling, to help Jiva record her statement. Jiva was encouraged to use sign language during the process to ensure the police accurately recorded her statement. Jiva, having experienced a traumatic incident, was severely affected.
Regular interactions, counselling, and physical assistance were offered by the social worker to navigate the abuse & facilitate her healing journey. Recognizing the importance of family support, the social worker actively involved Jiva’s mother in the recovery process.
Jiva’s mother played a crucial role in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for her daughter during her recovery. As part of Jiva’s journey to recovery and empowerment, the social worker-initiated plans to assist her in receiving financial support under the “Manodhirya” scheme.
This step was vital in securing Jiva’s Financial Independence. Today, Jiva is back at home, her health has significantly improved, and her emotional state on the path to recovery. The social worker maintains regular contact with Jiva and her mother, offering a safety net and assistance whenever necessary.
*Name changed to maintain confidentiality .
A tale of two sisters…
Meena (name changed) was a 6-year-old, living in a rural part of Pune. She was the elder sister of Sona (name changed), still 4 years old.
A tale of two sisters...
Meena (name changed) was a 6-year-old, living in a rural part of Pune. She was the elder sister of Sona (name changed), still 4 years old. Their mother had contracted TB and was isolating herself away from her husband and the girls. The father, a contractual labourer, was the sole caregiver. For two years, the girls and their father would oft visit the mother for the day.
During one such visit, they stayed overnight, and as they slept, the mother was shocked to see her husband put his hand down Meena’s underwear. He was confronted, but fled the house before action could be taken.
While Meena stayed mum, little Sona spoke up, and described the “Gandey Khel” their father had been inflicting on Meena. He had been raping her repeatedly for over 2 years, but fear of agonizing her already ill mother and threats from her father kept her from speaking up.
We received this case from an NGO network, a contact that had attended one of our awareness sessions. The case passed through the police and the Child Welfare Committee, and the accused was arrested. With no able caregivers for the girls, they were put into a Child Care Institution.
Several counselling sessions with both girls and their family members allowed Meena to open up. Little Sona, a valuable ally in this case, was also a victim under POCSO, having been made to witness sexual acts as a child.
The girls are now happily ensconced in the institution and we continue to tele-counsel them. The legal help will continue till justice is served.
*Name changed to maintain confidentiality.
