Sandeepa, (name changed) a 45-year-old woman from Baina’s former red-light district, has a life story shaped by unimaginable hardships yet underscored by remarkable resilience. Raised in an environment where she witnessed her mother’s exploitation, Sandeepa grew up in the shadows of trauma. Following a marriage supported by her family, she became trapped in a life marred by domestic violence and her husband’s neglect and abuse. Struggling with alcoholism, her husband’s violent behaviour only worsened, leading Sandeepa herself to be coerced into trafficking and ultimately sold to a red-light district in Pune. There, she endured relentless verbal, physical, and emotional abuse, compounding her deep-seated trauma. The repercussions of this environment extended to her two children, who, despite having completed their 10th standard exams, found themselves unemployed and affected by behavioural issues that further weighed on Sandeepa’s heart. The toxic household and her accumulated trauma led her to feelings of despair and hopelessness. When Sandeepa connected with WISH, her journey toward healing and transformation began. Social workers immediately recognized the depth of her struggles and provided intensive counselling to address her depression, support her mental health, and help her process her past. Individual counselling sessions focused on helping her reclaim self-worth and build resilience, while continuous mental health support, including medication, ensured that she had the resources needed to stabilize emotionally.
Family counselling sessions also played a crucial role, targeting the children’s behavioural issues and fostering a healthier, more supportive home environment. Social workers facilitated her husband’s referral to a de-addiction program, offering him consistent counselling support and guiding him toward sobriety. Couples counselling further strengthened their relationship, helping them develop respectful communication and reduce conflicts. Counselling extended to her children, offering them guidance in seeking employment and establishing a supportive role within the family. Through AVANI’s vocational training program, Sandeepa gained skills that enabled her to achieve financial independence. This economic stability was a pivotal step, empowering her to envision a life beyond mere survival and giving her the confidence to make informed, autonomous decisions about her future. The support allowed her to not only achieve self-reliance but also to secure a stable future for herself and her family. Today, Sandeepa is a symbol of resilience and empowerment, standing as a testament to the power of holistic social work, counseling, and psychosocial interventions. Her journey underscores the impact of compassionate support, proving that with the right resources, individuals can break free from cycles of trauma and build lives marked by dignity and independence.