“I would like to work to address the issue of sexual exploitation of children from Devadasi and dalit families who are poor and marginalised.”, says Nayana
Nayana’s success story
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I am very thankful to SNEHA, Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Children of India for teaching me about child rights and helping me file a case. It is because of them that I could come out of my pain and continue my studies.”, says Nayana tearfully. “I would like to work to address the issue of sexual exploitation of children from Devadasi and dalit families who are poor and marginalised.”
Sixteen-year-old Nayana belongs to a Devadasi family where her older sister Sulochana is a part of the system. Nayana is a member of a Kishori Group organised by TdH-NL via Children of India Foundation and SNEHA and has been part of awareness campaigns against the dedication of children as Devadasis organised by the GOOD project.
In June 2019, tragedy struck her.
She was sexually abused by a 22-year-old boy from the same village who took advantage of her because she was from the Devadasi community.
Due to counseling and awareness efforts, Nayana knew how to deal with the matter.
With the help of project GOOD, she called Childline, reported the incident, and filed an FIR against the boy under the POSCO act. Nayana was later counseled by staff from the GOOD project and produced before the Child Welfare Committee in Ballari. A SNEHA Team member is in contact with Nanaya and follows up with her regularly.
