An Appeal For Donations: Help Families Of Child Victims Of Sexual Offences Survive The Lockdown

We recently followed up with 127 of the over 250 families affected by child sexual abuse that we work with in and around Mumbai

& they are clearly going to need our collective support to survive the crisis and chaos of the pandemic and lockdown.

Half of them will run out of food & grain in a weeks time.
80% of them, most of whom work in the unorganized sector, have not received their salaries for March.
The lockdown has made ration shops physically inaccessible for 47% of the families even as 32% do not have ration cards.
Less than 3% can access the government’s financial welfare scheme, less than 17% qualify for the free cooking gas and less than 25% have access to the subsidized food that has been promised.
A measure like ‘social distancing’ adds to and magnifies the rift, discrimination & stigma that these families face in their communities & neighborhoods.

(click here to read the full results of our rapid survey with the families)

They are some of the most isolated and vulnerable families in the city today with no support, no income, no savings and questionable access to welfare. And they are being forced to overlook one trauma and face another. This is a choice no one should have to make.

The crisis that we are all passing through affects each one us but it also affects inordinately those who are already vulnerable. It takes most from those who have nothing more to give.

We have started mobilizing resources to provide for essential goods and are committed to helping these families stay firmly above water. But more is needed and the scale at which it is needed is progressively increasing.

If these families have to survive this humanitarian crisis, they need to be able to count on the biggest & deepest of hearts and the strongest, almost unwavering support. If, at this crucial moment, we can all work together and get them safely across, rest assured, all of us will.

We appeal to you to open your hearts & donate.

What the donations will go towards

Your donations will help secure monthly rations of around 250 families who have been affected by sexual offences against children as well as the lockdown. The donations will comprehensively cover

nutrition (grains, pulses, sugar, oil, flour, condiments etc)
health & sanitation (medicines, soap, disinfectant, masks)
communication (mobile recharge)

This 3 pronged monthly approach is to ensure that the families are kept as secure as possible from economic as well as mental distress while surviving the lockdown and its aftermath.

How much should you donate

There is no scale and you may donate as per your inclination. But just to offer some perspective, we present the following parameters.

Rs. 1000/- can help secure monthly rations for 1 member of a family.
Rs. 4000/- can help secure monthly rations for an entire family of 4.

In the event that the collected amount manages to exceed the current needs of the families, it will continue to be disbursed to the families as a fund intended to provide crucial and strategic victim support on their journeys towards eventual justice & healing.

Thank you for your time & Stay Safe and Healthy

21st April 2020: Click here for an update on the donation & relief work