Childhood sexual abuse and incest are problems deep-rooted in the gender discrimination and patriarchy latently practised in India. The RAHI Foundation considers it their very duty to bring this iniquity to light for attaining justice. The ‘newborn’ RAHI (Recovery And Healing Incest) has gained inconceivably strong support all over India. It is the only organisation of its kind throughout the country. It is a feminist group that provides a strong support-and-recovery environment to the survivors and aims at building an abuse-free, equal India. RAHI’s initiatives are focussed upon the belief that survivors can heal themselves, ‘convert their pain’ by working towards social prevention of these ills. One who has been through the immense pain understands the depth of the shock, the psychological trauma and finds their healing in the fact that their sacrifice is no longer shared by others.
“The silence speaks volumes”- the ideology of RAHI is summed up in this sentence. They use innovative means to communicate with survivors, students, social and health workers. Their therapeutic workshops and programmes provide assistance and empathy to survivors and uplift their self-confidence, making them independent in all spheres. As students, it is essential for us to be aware of these atrocious forms of abuse and RAHI conducts several programmes and internships for prospective social reformers.
RAHI’s documentary ‘The Little Girls We Were… And The Women We Are’ won the Best Educational Film Award at the 65th National Film Awards 2018, standing as a model of impregnability. Sexual abuse survivors have been silent for years due to numerous fears, which are natural in their position. But, thanks to RAHI, women are speaking up about their abuse fearlessly, asserting their rights and combatting the prolonged wrongdoings.
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