A story of Local Response by Selvarani
I was married off to a man even before I attained puberty. He tortured me by beating me and was living with another woman. So I decided that this life wasn't worth living and went back to live with my parents.
Then, I was sold by a woman in Mumbai when I was 14 years old. I was asked to offer sexual favours to men which I detested. When I resisted, they restrained my hands and forced the man on me.
After a month, I escape from Mumbai along with four other women. I came back to Tiruvannamalai district and started to work earning three rupees a day. My family refused to take me back. I started to sell sex and earned Rs.10 for each sexual encounter that I arranged.
This was when I was introduced to a CBO of sex workers and I decided to become a member. Now, I am in a position to help other sex workers as well as those infected with HIV. If someone is hungry and I come to know of it, I will always buy them a meal. I am much happier today and I also support my parents financially as my brothers have not taken up that responsibility.