Child sexual abuse survivor, a winner

Originally from Andhra Pradesh, Asha’s life took a dark turn after the demise of her mother. Her father remarried and little Asha was illtreated by her stepmother. To escape this, she ran away from home and ended up begging on the streets. 

Dr P Manorama, who founded the Anandha Illam, a home for children with special needs, recalled the child’s traumatic journey. “She was working as a domestic help for some men. Initially, they treated her well but a few months later, she was raped at the age of 10. She was in a bad shape when she was brought before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) – she had sustained hip injury and suffered from tuberculosis and was diagnosed with STD (sexually transmitted disease). She had to be carried as she couldn’t walk,” remembered the former Chairperson of CWC. With adequate care and medical attention, Asha, who started living in Anandha Illam, regained her strength. “She started going to school. She has grown beautifully and put the past behind her. She scored 70% in her Class 10 examinations too,” said the proud guardian. 

Asha, who is now a shy 18-year-old, enjoys bantering with her friends. She said her teachers and friends helped her prepare for the exams. “I chose Commerce and Accountancy stream. I studied for 2-3 hours daily and when I needed help, my friends were always there,” said the youngster. 

Her choice of career has, perhaps subconsciously, been decided after her early traumatic experiences. “I want to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. I want to help other people,” she concluded.  — (Name changed)