Adriya has lived through extraordinary hardship. Born into a financially struggling family, Adriya lost her mother shortly after birth. Her father’s remarriage brought new challenges, as she faced mistreatment and neglect in her stepmother’s care. Despite her youth, Adriya was made to do excessive household labor and suffered both physical and emotional abuse.
At just 15 years old, her life took a devastating turn. Under the pretense of arranging her marriage, Adriya’s stepmother sold her to a man for NPR 30,000 (USD 210). The man took her across the border to India, where she was forced to work in a guesthouse under exploitative conditions. When Adriya attempted to contact her family, she learned the painful truth — that she had been deliberately sold. For six long years, she endured abuse and confinement until her health began to deteriorate.
When her condition worsened and those exploiting her abandoned her, Adriya decided to escape. Despite being weak and unwell, she made the difficult journey back to Nepal, determined to reclaim her freedom. However, she did not return to her family home, as she associated it with the betrayal that led to her suffering. Feeling isolated and uncertain about where to go, she considered returning to India out of desperation.
During this period, she met a man she had known previously and discussed traveling with him. However, inconsistencies in his statements raised concerns among community members, who immediately referred the case to the police for further investigation. Upon learning of her situation, local authorities and partner organizations intervened to ensure Adriya’s safety and well-being.
Through coordinated efforts with law enforcement and local government, information about Adriya’s maternal relatives was obtained. Her relatives, who had been searching for her and had reported her missing, were overjoyed to learn that she had been found alive. After necessary verifications and safety assessments, Adriya was safely reunited with her family.
Today, Adriya is receiving ongoing support, including counseling and reintegration assistance. Her story reflects both the deep risks faced by vulnerable women and the life-saving impact of coordinated anti-trafficking interventions. It is a reminder that with timely action, compassion, and cross-border cooperation, survivors of trafficking can find their way back to safety — and begin to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
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