I want people to know that a girl like me should never have to experience so much suffering. That’s all I want. My name is Sagorika. When I was 13 years old, my brother-in-law sold me to a brothel.
Strange men would come in and abuse me in different ways. They would force us to drink and do inappropriate things. I tried to commit suicide a couple of times, but they always managed to stop me. I was completely hopeless and I thought I would never accomplish anything in my life.
When I came to Sanlaap the aunties helped me understand a lot. They told me these classes could help me overcome my old life and build a new one. I am studying here, but I am also learning how to dance. My dancing has given me my strength. If I start to recall my bad times, I start dancing and it helps me forget everything. Sanlaap has taught me that I own the right to my body. No one else does.
We live the same way sisters would live together. I feel like we are family. Four years ago, I never thought that I would be able to come to a good place like Sanlaap. Now that I am in Sanlaap, I can build a great future here.
Narrative produced by Sanlaap North America (SNA)a non-profit that works to rescue, shelter and empower women and girls who have been kidnapped or sold by their families into the red-light districts of urban India.
