13-year-old Lakshmi (name changed) was growing up like any other girl of her age. However, her world was turned upside down when two auto drivers, one of whom was her friend's father, sexually abused her repeatedly for months. Scared and ashamed to speak out, Lakshmi kept all of this to herself until one day when a neighbour spotted one of Lakshmi's abusers, forcibly taking her to a secluded spot. Following this, Lakshmi's mother lodged a complaint, had to leave her job to be with her children and the family was forced to relocate. It has been three years; the accused is out on bail and Lakshmi and her family are still waiting for justice. Bachpan Bachao Andolan's intervention provided much needed support and guidance to the distressed child and the family and paved the way for monetary compensation as mandated by law.
