At age 2, Lafiza's mother abandoned her and her father, so her grandmother stepped in to help care for her. When her father died in 2021, her uncle took over her care.
In March 2023, Lafiza visited her aunt in Dhaka, where she met a boy named Sohail. They began a long-distance relationship after she returned to home. When Lafiza's uncle discovered the relationship, he prepared to talk with Sohail's family about marriage. But before this could happen, Lafiza ran away on June 1, 2023.
Around June 20, 2023, Lafiza’s uncle received a call from India; Lafiza was detained by the police in Surat, Gujarat, over 1,400 miles from her home. She had no official documentation on her. The DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) in Surat was familiar with our work and told us about Lafiza’s case, so we stepped in to help.
Lafiza was placed in a children’s home for girls, and we met her on June 26, 2023. She shared that Sohail sent her to India with his sister while he remained in Bangladesh. He sold her to Javeed (a male in his 30s), who forced her into prostitution at a spa in Surat. The spa manager (a male in his late 30s) and Javeed continuously raped and exploited young Lafiza, and Javeed drugged her so she was not fully aware of the atrocities he inflicted upon her.
We stayed closely connected to Lafiza through her recovery; we talked with her several times over the phone and visited her six times at the shelter home. We offered Lafiza one-on-one counseling and life skills sessions, and Lafiza began a journey of healing.
In February 2024, Lafiza testified in court against her offenders. We learned that moments before she testified, Suraj, who was acting as a translator threatened Lafiza, and offered her two lakh rupees (~$2400) to withdraw her statement against Javeed. Lafiza bravely refused. During her testimony, Lafiza shared in detail about how she was exploited from the time Sohail’s sister brought her to India.
On August 28, we received good news. A court in Surat convicted the three accused; Javeed the pimp, the spa manager, and the other accused each received 20-year prison sentences. The 24-year-old female, Sana (who transported Lafiza from Ahmedabad to Surat), received a seven-year prison sentence. Lafiza was compensated two lakh rupees (~$2400). We are thrilled to note that this is Freedom Firm’s first conviction in Surat!
In spite of the opposition and threats, Lafiza courageously took a stand to fight for her justice: the four offenders who exploited her remain in prison; Lafiza is free, and she has prevented future girls from being exploited by these criminals.
Freedom Firm relies on donations from people like you – thank you for helping to bring hope and restoration to Lafiza, and for giving her the opportunity to testify in court.
Will you donate to bring rescue, restoration and justice to more girls?
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