Giving a helping hand to a needy

“A young girl was raped by one of the deputy minister’s personal body guard influencing all his power” said Asela Bandara, Setik Human Rights programme Coordinator. The victim was abandoned on the public road.

When this news reached the “Setik” institute Asela set out to guide the victim. By that time the victim and her family had moved out of their own residential region since they received death threats from the accused person.

Dilrukshi Kumari a young girl of 19 years lived with her grandmother. She had completed her school education and lived an active life as a young woman. But after that fateful night she was sexually abused by an intruder she was deeply disturbed and would not even come out her home.

When Asela met her and after few counseling sessions this victimized young woman was able to come out with whole tragic experience. She said “I am ready to relate about this unfortunate incident if you can bring justice to me by brining the culprit to realize the gravity of this crime and resolve never more to act in such a manner”.

On 14th April and intruder came to her home - he assaulted her grandmother and carried away the young victim to the public road and sexually abused her. “I struggled hard to escape from him but failed to get free” Dilrukshi explained.

Asela said “the assailant was a private security guard of a powerful politician”. Later on the victim and her family had received death threats from the assailant’s party. Dilrukshi said “we made a complaint at the Police station and also handed over a medical report, but the Police didn’t take any action because of the power of the politician”.

It is unfortunate that guardians of the law in our country are often indifferent to such violation of fundamental rights of our people. This is very common in today’s society. Day by day criminal violence is increasing in the country.

Asela said “Cafod organization is assisting us financially to work and bring justice to victims of injustice and abuse whose fundamental rights are violated”. He further said by their upholding the rights of victims of abuse and crime they work earnestly to restore the rights of such victims to build up their personality and empower the abused persons to regain their rights.

Dilrukshi’s case is at present pending in the High Courts. She has been empowered to fearlessly appear in the courts by the guidance and counseling given by the counseling provided by “Setik”.

Dilruskhi says “I am a married woman today; my husband is very supportive and is a strength to me in my efforts in seeking justice and standing up my rights”

“Setik Human Rights unit is very much thankful to “Cafod” for the financial assistance given to presence “Dilrukshi’s case” and bring justice as well as a better future to her” said Asela requesting for the same in the future.