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Menaka's Story
Menaka was born in Bangladesh, when she was 12, Menaka and her family were forced out of their homes along with other Hindu families They managed to escape to a refugee camp on the border of India.
Menaka made friends with a 30 year old woman in one of the nearby houses where she used to sneak in to use the toilet. The woman often asked Menaka to go to Calcutta with her. Menaka always refused, until one day, she had a fight with her sister and without telling her parents, left with her friend for Calcutta.
Menaka’s friend took her to Calcutta’ largest red-light district and sold her to a brothel owner for 1000 rupees (US$22). The brothel owner’s sister was furious, “Why have you bought such a young girl?” she yelled at Menaka’s owner. “Send her back now!” But if they sent Menaka back her family they would know what had happened. So Menaka waited while they decided what to do with her.
At this time, a man took a liking to Menaka and negotiated a price with her madam – 500 rupees: Menaka was a virgin and worth a high price. The man took her to a room, locked the door and sat her down. He drank whiskey, she drank Coca Cola - she’d never heard of it before but accepted and drank. She began to feel groggy and realized that she had been drugged. As the man began to make advances, Menaka tried to run, releasing one door bolt but she couldn’t reach the top bolt. Twelve-year-old Menaka was raped.
Over the next few months, Menaka was moved from brothel to brothel to avoid detection by police looking for underage girls. Eventually she was abandoned in Ram Bagan a small red-light area where she stayed. It was there a notorious local gangster took an interest in Menaka. They began to live together.
When men approached Menaka for sex, the gangster would chase them away, even beat them - he had fallen in love. He wanted her to stop selling her body. Looking back now, Menaka says: “He stopped me - and I stopped him.” Today Menaka’s husband has abandoned crime; he’s a mild-mannered man whom Menaka has learned to love. They both still live in the main lane where many girls stand in line waiting for customers but life is very different now.
Over the years, Menaka’s parents tracked her down but the shame surrounding her situation meant there was no communication. Since Menaka joined Freeset, she has been given tremendous hope- she has learned to dream of seeing her family again.
Menaka’s father died some time ago but she has visited her mother in Bangladesh, whom she hasn’t seen since she was 12. They have begun the process of restoration. Freedom is on its way.
not her real name.