In a groundbreaking initiative, a new program in India is transforming the lives of survivors of child sex trafficking, empowering them to pursue careers in law and fight against the very traffickers who exploited them. The School for Justice, launched by the anti-trafficking organization Free A Girl, aims to raise awareness about child sex trafficking while providing education and resources to those who have escaped these harrowing circumstances.
Opened in April, the School for Justice seeks to provide survivors with the necessary training and support to prepare them for university. The program is designed to help these women earn law degrees, equipping them with the skills needed to combat trafficking and advocate for justice. Over the past eight years, Free A Girl has successfully liberated over 4,000 girls from brothels across Asia.
The inaugural class at the School for Justice welcomed 19 women, several of whom have already gained acceptance to university programs. Others are continuing their studies for an additional year before applying. According to Evelien Jansen, the founder of Free A Girl, the initiative aims to empower these former victims through education and fundamentally alter how India’s legal system addresses trafficking cases. Alarmingly, fewer than 50 cases of child prostitution lead to convictions each year.
Globally, the International Labor Organization estimates that approximately 20.9 million individuals are victims of human trafficking, with hundreds of thousands situated in the United States alone. The number of child victims escalates to nearly 2 million annually when including international cases. Law enforcement often struggles to combat this issue effectively due to limited resources and manpower, as noted by Officer James Peterson from the Human Trafficking division in Minnesota.
In India, many survivors endure severe abuse, often forced to service numerous clients daily. Traffickers typically deceive these women with promises of employment or love, only to subject them to a life of exploitation. The School for Justice provides vital support, covering tuition, housing, food, and transportation costs, allowing participants to focus on their education. Living together in a supportive environment managed by the partner organization Sanlaap, students receive English language instruction, foundational law education, and assistance with university applications.
Although this program offers a glimmer of hope for a brighter future, many survivors face significant societal stigma and trauma. The emotional scars and rejection from families can be overwhelming. “These women deserve a chance at a better life, one of their own making,” Jansen emphasized, highlighting the importance of sharing their stories. “They were victims, not willing participants, and their courage is inspiring.”
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In summary, the School for Justice in India is a vital step toward empowering survivors of sex trafficking, enabling them to reclaim their lives and seek justice through education and legal advocacy.