Field Experience Research Critique
We as a group went to visit Odinadi, a sanctuary for victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation.
Rescue
Odinadi offers many service to put a stop to sexual violence including prevention and awareness programs along with rescue and rehabilitation for victims of human trafficking. Arriving at Odinadi I did not know what to expect or what new things I would learn. The founder of Odinadi had a great talk with us over the history of Odinadi and what led him to start the organization. Mr. Stanley and Mr. Parashuram started Odinadi 27 years ago after meeting a woman involved in prostitution who sought help to leave her situation and start a better life. She had a profound effect on their decision to start working on a sanctuary designed to help the lives of those affected by human trafficking. Working in conjunction with the police, Odinadi has helped “more than 4400 women and children within Karnataka… and [have led more than] 100 brothel raids… [bringing] more than 250 traffickers to justice” (Odinadi, 2018). Many of the victims are young girls who are kidnapped. "A study from Karnataka showed that 11.5% of 61 repatriated women and girls who reported being trafficked in to sex work were 14 years at the time of initiation of sex." Safe sex is usually not negotiable for these young women, so the risk of STDs are high (​Dhawan 2010). Odinadi give these women access to the health care they need so they are able to heal and continue with their lives.
Rehabilitation
Odinadi has its own school and care center for exploited children and the children of the women saved from sex trafficking. Many of the children are victims of sexual exploitation and “children are forced, lured and trafficked away from their homes and families for various illegal activities. In the hands of traffickers, young people are often bribed, brainwashed, robbed, drugged, raped, beaten, brutally disfigured – and end up enslaved, working in brothels, on the streets – or even dead.” (Odinadi 2018)
Many women suffer from mental health issues Odinadi has set up a clinic and counseling sessions are provided to the women as they continue to rehabiliatate and reintegrate back into society. We got to tour around the building and see the children making art and crafts. They showed us their art room and computer room. They also have a part of the building dedicated to training women in grooming and salon training, so they can earn money and learn how to run a business.
However, dispite this support, many women return to the people who trafficked them in the beginning.
"Several reports suggest that victims of trafficking who managed to get out of their situations of coercive sex work either through police raids or payment of debts chose to return to the business." Some victims of trafficking may also re-enter prostitution voluntarily as a consequence of economic necessity and lowered inhibitions toward sex work. They generally return to their former within one to two years. (Pandley 2017). This is one of the many reasons why reintegration back into society and community is so important for these women.
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Reintegration
The overall goal for Odinadi is to reintegrate the women and children back into society. Privacy is a big issue for their success, the protection of their identity is important so that they are not found again or discovered by others in the community. The social stigma towards those in sex work and human trafficking can be very dangerous, so working towards building a new identity and new opportunities is important for the rehabilitation for these women. "Reintegration assistance broadly includes direct assistance such as support in form of legal representation, health care, social, medical and psychological care and material assistance to the victims of trafficking." (Pandley et al. 2017). Being reunited with their family and their communities is one way to help the person get their life back and build a new normal. They are encouraged to get an education and employment, so that they can support themselves outside of Odinadi when the time is right for them. Odinadi is there for them until they are ready to leave.
One thing that really struck me was when someone said they felt sorry for the women and could not imagine being in their situation, but Mr. Stanley disagreed, saying that these women are probably happier than we will ever be. They have access to education and better health care, and their lives have changed for the better in spite of what they have gone through. These women are given a second chance, and have access to everything they need to heal and to succeed in life.
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Dhawan, J., Gupta, S., & Kumar, B. (2010). Sexually transmitted diseases in children in India. Indian Journal Of Dermatology, Venereology And Leprology, Vol 76, Iss 5, Pp 489-493 (2010), (5), 489.
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Odinadi (2018). United against human trafficking. https://www.odanadi.org/
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Pandey, S., Tewari, H. R., & Bhowmick, P. K. (2017). Antecedents and Reintegration of Sex Trafficked Victims in India: A Conceptual Framework. International Journal Of Criminal Justice Sciences, 12(2), 47.
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