Young Love, Real Risks

Our Anti-Human Trafficking Monitoring Stations intercept women and girls at the border before they are gone forever. Here is a story of how young love can pose real risks of human trafficking and other forms of vulnerabilities. 

Karuna* (17) is the youngest daughter in a family of five. Her upbringing was in a typical Nepali household, where the father worked while the mother stayed at home to manage the household. This setup worked in some ways, but they still struggled.  Her father’s work in India is not enough to provide for all their household expenses.

When Karuna was in 11th grade, her mother passed away, and this event intensified their household struggles. Her father became mentally ill, and her two elder brothers also moved to India to work and provide medical treatment. Despite all these efforts, his condition did not improve. To ensure her safety, Karuna moved in with her grandparents. Her brothers eventually ceased financial support and communication, causing her to drop out of school. Instead of learning, Karuna spent her days assisting her grandparents with household chores and running errands for them. 

What her family doesn’t know is that Karuna had made some interesting connections at school a while back. During those times, she had known a boy named Dipak Bhandari. Even after she dropped out, he continued to visit her, and Karuna was just happy to have a friend to share all her life’s troubles with. To her, Dipak’s presence was an oasis in a desert of abandonment and loneliness. Eventually, the boy confessed his love for her and proposed. Karuna was flattered but hesitated because of their family’s cultural differences. She was afraid that his family would not accept her because she was of a lower rank. 

To Dipak, her concern was easily solvable. If no one would approve of the marriage, then the easiest way is to elope to India and just eventually win their families’ approval over time. Sounding reasonable, Karuna agreed, and they decided to travel to India immediately. While on route to India in an auto-rickshaw, their behavior caught and raised suspicion from our staff during a routine inquiry. While young love is probably one of the strongest feelings that two young people have felt so far in their lives, it is important to note that both individuals were minors. The couple was taken to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur for further investigation.

Dipak proposed eloping to India, assuring her that they could win their families’ approval over time. They both decided to leave home together. While on route to India in an auto-rickshaw, their behavior raised suspicion during a routine inquiry. Upon further questioning, the authorities contacted Simran’s family, who confirmed that the pair had eloped. Simran’s family requested intervention, as both individuals were minors. The couple was taken to the District Police Office in Kanchanpur for further investigation.

Young love relationships often lead to immature decisions, and they, too, were caught in this situation. When their family rejected them and they attempted to elope, they were unaware of the various risks they would face. As they were heading to India, they were unfamiliar with the language, culture, and how to manage themselves there. They had no plans, no job experience, or relatives to help them. Furthermore, they did not have enough money for the journey, which posed significant risks. 

This was not a story of a failed great love. This is a story of two emotionally immature people who are unprepared for the real world. Their eloping and lack of financial resources will make them more vulnerable to human trafficking and other forms of abuse. The two were counseled properly about the real risks out there and are back home with their families. 

*Name is changed for privacy.

Our Partners