Empowering Survivors to become Advocates: SASANE’s Impact on Access to Justice

Legal justice is the foundation of any fair society, guaranteeing that everyone receives equal treatment under the law. It highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law, according to which nobody is above the laws that govern us all. It ensures that every person, regardless of socioeconomic background, is protected by the law. However, the essence of this idea is jeopardized when people, especially the survivors of different types of violence such as sexual abuse and exploitation, trafficking, gender based violence, are unable to access the legal system or are ignorant of their rights.

In order to address these issues, civil society is essential in becoming the voice of the voiceless. Samrakshak Samuha Nepal (SASANE) plays a crucial role in addressing these issues by standing up for the rights of vulnerable girls and facilitating their access to justice. SASANE empowers girls facing difficulty, providing them with the support and resources needed to navigate the legal system and assert their rights.

Numerous obstacles hinder the reporting of such cases of violence and exploitation, thus further hampering their access to justice. Lack of awareness about law and legal procedures among victims and their families, social stigma, fear of retaliation from perpetrators, disbelief towards judicial system and logistical difficulties in accessing police stations are some of the major challenges in reporting such cases. In spite of these challenges, SASANE works towards justice and equality for all, acting as a beacon of hope.

In November 2023, SASANE conducted an impact assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs. Through an innovative strategy to access to justice, SASANE has been empowering survivor girls to become advocate for change in their own lives as well as their communities. SASANE provides them paralegal training where they acquire skills and information necessary to handle complex legal procedures. These paralegals use their training to assist others, especially girls who have been victims of trafficking, experienced GBV or survived exploitation. They offer support at police stations, assisting victim girls write free applications, provide emotional support and encourage them, and provide legal guidance.

A survivor-turned-paralegal, shares her story of how she fell into the trap of a seemingly promising good education by her neighbor and came to Kathmandu. Unfortunately, she was physically as well as sexually abused in the city instead of getting a good education. However, with the help of her friend and SASANE, she found the strength to pursue legal justice. SASANE not only helped her in lodging a complaint with the police but also accompanied her to medical appointments, provided psychosocial counseling and encouraged her to fight for her rights and seek justice.

Similarly, another survivor recounts a similar experience. She shares how financial dispute between her parents led her to secretly go to the city and work. However, she was sexually abused and exploited at the hotel where she was employed. Despite these hardships, with the support from SASANE, the culprit was punished and she was able to get justice. At present, she is studying law with the SASANE’s assistance.

These are just a few example representing a larger group of individuals. SASANE not only assist survivors in obtaining legal justice, but also educates, empowers, provide psychosocial counseling and offer safe house or accommodation. Through the program School for Justice, SASANE provides education to survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation who are under 18 years old. Out of the 20 adolescent girls enrolled, four have gained law degree, and one has completed a master’s degree, while the rest are pursuing high school or bachelor’s degree.

Besides aiding individual survivors, SASANE fosters a broader movement towards empowerment and justice, transforming victims into advocates who can inspire and support others going through similar challenges. The empowered and educated girls emerge as powerful advocates against CSE and be a change maker in the society.