Hello, I'm here as a final resort to save myself from being taken from my daughter.
To summarize, I’m a single mother fighting a legal battle to stay with my daughter. My daughter was inappropriately touched by her tutor while in the 4th grade. Years after having gone to court, the belief my daughter was now safe was destroyed in a single moment. The police were sent to my door to tell me a judge ordered me to be imprisoned and issued a significant fine as I could not prove without any doubt that the man had touched her. The legal system in India is unlike other countries. It is also known that once you go to prison, you may not come back. My daughter may permanently lose her only parent. Please read below for more information...--
I'm a single mother and a teacher.
In 2019, when my daughter was in Grade 4, she came to me crying that her tutor had touched her inappropriately. I had taught her about good and bad touch, and when she described what he did, I was genuinely horrified.
I'm from India, and in my community, most people try to hide rather than stand up and fight against something like this.
I decided to take a stand and got the guy arrested with much difficulty. I didn't want to let someone ike that roam free, ruining the lives of more little girls.
What followed was a gruelling 3-year-long case during which my daughter's health and confidence declined. She used to be a cheerful, outspoken child who loved art. During the initial case, we were getting called to the court day after day, and she somehow started feeling as if it was all her fault and that if only she hadn't told me and taken all the abuse on herself, my parents and I wouldn't have had to suffer.
On top of the humiliating questions and harsh tones, she had to see the guy who abused her each time she had to go to court.
I left my teaching job and started staying at home to keep her stable and feeling safe.
After each court date, she'd regress further. She stopped talking to kids in her class. It was awkward for her as she missed class whenever there was a court date. Other kids were starting to notice that she was absent and asking questions she didn't have answers for.
After three long years of stress and pain for the whole family, we were approached by the accused's lawyer, saying that if we take this further, they'll be asking even more vulgar and awkward questions to the child and that we can still reach a settlement as the guy had been behind bars for three years already and would save the child more trauma and embarrassment. Our lawyer suggested we take the offer and settle things instead of dragging it on for more years.
Coming from a scholarly family, we had never dealt with lawyers or such cases. We took the deal and let things go. Our lawyer assured me that this would be the end of the case and I can now live a safe life with my child.
We figured the nightmare was over. I continued taking care of the trauma my child had gone through, encouraging her that she could finally put it all behind her.
Earlier this week, however, I got a notice from the police stating that the judge of that time had filed a case against me, saying I accused the guy falsely. I am supposed to be arrested, put into prison and pay a considerably huge fine.
I don't know if it's because I'm from a minority religion (Muslim) or if there's some other reason, but I do know that if I go to prison, there is a very strong chance I won't make it out alive. even if I do come out, I'd have my spirit broken, and most likely have been seriously abused. This is common in the prisons here.
As I make very little and am trying to care for my child's mental health, I don't have the funds for a legal battle. Even if I win, there is no reimbursement.
My father retired a long time ago. Covid + the 3 years long care, took almost all our savings.
My daughter is once again falling into despair and depression, knowing that this time I might be taken away from her and possibly never return. She is so terrified that she has stopped going to school just to be able to spend more time with me while I'm still here.
The lawyer I finally found who can at least give me a chance at fighting this case is extremely costly.
I'm here requesting help to keep paying their fee until the case is over. Any amount helps. I’m desperate to keep my daughter safe. If you're unable to help financially, kindly share with people who can. Share on social media, or anywhere you think there are people kind enough to help.
I would really, truly appreciate it.
Mia
