Awanti Struggles to Regulate Her Emotions

Awanti after she dyed her hair red

17-year-old Awanti was rescued from a guest house in Kolkata in February this year and placed in a shelter home. Initially, she was happy and eager to learn. She regularly attended singing classes, enjoyed reading books, and became friends with other girls in the shelter home. But when we visited her in March, she had become agitated and aggressive in the shelter home. Awanti was unhappy and homesick, and begged to return home. Her parents took custody of her in April before she turned 18. Our social workers continued to check in with her, and in the last few months, Awanti has grown increasingly unhappy and insubordinate. Her parents allow her to make her own decisions, so Awanti has been roaming the streets, not showering, fighting with her family members, and messaging boys on social media. She recently dyed her hair red. When applying for admission at a school, she was told that students are not allowed to dye their hair. Awanti's parents have no interest in helping, counseling, or tending to Awanti, and their relationship with her continues to be strained.

Sexual exploitation leaves such deep scars that make survivors defensive and resistant toward anyone seeking to help them. But we will not give up trying to connect with Awanti. Our team is discussing ways we might be able to offer Awanti professional counseling to help her manage her emotions and make better choices for her future.