Justice and Care: We stood with young women as they faced-off abusers in court

May 30, 2017

In an “enormously significant” case, attracting global coverage and believed to be the biggest of its kind in history, around 40 young women took the unprecedented step of facing their abusers in court.

After gathering intelligence, Justice and Care helped rescue the 40 young girls – each of whom had been subjected to repeated daily rape in brothels.

Located in south India, where the case went to trial, expectations were sober: few sex trafficking cases end in conviction.

Justice and Care’s aftercare team stood by the traumatised survivors, providing expert support and intensive round-the-clock care. Because of this, many were able to testify as part of the prosecution in court. They faced down their accusers and secured convictions.

A total of 39 people were convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, with enormous individual fines.

“This conviction is because of the courage of the survivors, all young women, who walked into the packed courtroom to identify their traffickers and the men who abused them.
Offenders who previously assumed they would get away with the crime will now know otherwise.

— Adrian Phillips, senior legal counsel for Justice and Care.