Vihaan

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Vihaan

WMS is registered under the provisions of Societies Registration Act, 1860 and Maharashtra Public Trusts Act, 1950.

Vihaan works at the grassroots to fight human trafficking and other forms of exploitation by protecting those who are vulnerable and making every effort to prevent the crime from taking place. Vihaan is a project of Waste Management Society, Yavatmal (WMS), a registered charitable society with bases in the cities of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Mumbai and Patna. Vihaan seeks to model, institutio

nalise and scale effective solutions specific to the crime of human trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. We work with victims of s*xual abuse and exploitation, bonded and child labour, domestic servitude and beggary. We have a long-term vision to see trafficking become a rarity across the world and we can only fulfill this through a strong collaborative approach with the State and Judiciary and other like-minded organisations. Through the work we do, we implement a number of frontline efforts and programs directed at eliminating all forms of human trafficking. We use a victim centric, end-to-end approach to facilitate rescue, provide access to legal support leading to justice, as well as provide rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors.

08/05/2026

The railway platform is often a place of arrivals and departures, but for 11-year-old Shweta, it was the site of a life-saving intervention. Concerned commuters noticed a young girl sitting alone, her eyes filled with a fear that didn’t match the bustling crowd around her. Sensing something was deeply wrong, they immediately alerted the Police.

When the authorities arrived, Shweta was terrified. No matter how much they tried to convince her to go home, she refused. Recognizing her distress, she was produced before the Child Welfare Committee, and Vihaan moved into action to ensure she was placed in a safe, secure shelter home.

It took months of patient counseling for the layers of trauma to peel away. When Shweta finally opened up, the truth was a shock: she had been fleeing months of horrific abuse by her stepfather and his associates.

At Vihaan, we knew our mission was twofold: rescue was the first step, but justice is the second. While the legal trial remains ongoing, we have taken on the responsibility of providing Shweta with the unwavering legal backbone she needs.

Our Legal Commitment:

Blocking the Exit: Every time the accused has filed for bail, our legal team has been there to represent Shweta’s voice and oppose their release.

A Record of Protection: To date, Vihaan has successfully secured the rejection of 10 bail applications, including hard-fought battles in the High Court.

The Fight Continues: Our most recent victories came this past April, with two more orders ensuring the perpetrators remain in custody as the case proceeds.

Shweta’s journey didn’t end on that platform. Today, she is safely pursuing her education within the shelter, transforming from a survivor into a student with a future. At Vihaan, we don't just rescue; we stand guard until the final gavel falls.

25/04/2026

On 7 April 2026, VIHAAN received an SOS call from the Thai Consulate in Chennai regarding a Thai national in distress in Bengaluru who urgently needed assistance and safe shelter. Our team responded immediately, reached her location, and ensured her safe rescue and transfer to a secure shelter.

The survivor had been lured to India with the promise of a better job. Instead, she was allegedly forced into exploitative and coercive conditions. Her earnings were taken away, and her passport was withheld for several months. When she resisted, she was pressured to pay ₹2,50,000 under the pretext of expenses.

Despite these challenges, she found the courage to leave and was living in vulnerable conditions before reaching out for help. As the sole earning member of her family, she had been carrying the responsibility of supporting them financially.

VIHAAN provided immediate rescue, safe shelter, and continues to offer counselling and emotional support during her recovery. Support will continue until she is safely reunited with her home.

This is not just a story of rescue. It is a reminder that timely intervention can restore safety, dignity, and hope.

23/04/2026

Not every story is reported. Not every survivor is heard.

This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we acknowledge the silence, the stigma, and the strength it takes to survive.

Through rescue, rehabilitation, and livelihood support, Vihaan continues to stand beside survivors, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.

Awareness is not enough. Action matters.

16/04/2026

This year, we've had the privilege of working with dedicated Master of Social Work students from Kristu Jayanti University, Komal, Priyanka, and Deinihun, who joined us as interns to gain hands-on experience in the social sector.

Through community visits, awareness sessions, and direct engagement with survivors and vulnerable groups, they've seen firsthand what working in anti-trafficking and rehabilitation looks like. They've conducted awareness programs, supported our team in the field, and learned how to communicate with sensitivity and build trust.

We aim to give our interns real insight into our fieldwork to not only help them gain practical experiences but understand what it means to interact with people in this context.

Interested in interning with VIHAAN? We're always looking for passionate individuals who want to contribute to our work in rescue, rehabilitation, prevention, and legal advocacy.

Get in touch with us here: https://buff.ly/wyhJHJJ

14/04/2026

Sangeeta is 28 years old and from Sankeshwar village, the district of Belagum which has the highest incidents of child marriage in Karnatak. She was married at 16 and has three younger sisters. Her mother works as a daily wage laborer to support the family, and her husband, also a daily wage worker, struggled to manage all the household expenses alone.

Sangeeta had studied up to Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) and wanted to contribute financially to support her family. She found work at a nearby primary school, but the monthly salary of ₹3,000 was too low to make a real difference. She left the job, unsure of what to do next.

Then she saw a pamphlet about VIHAAN's training program at a wellness training center. She decided to join the programme.

During the three-month training, Sangeeta gained skills in communication, leadership, understanding economic independence for women, managing family responsibilities, and knowledge of women's rights and laws. The training didn't just teach her skills, it boosted her confidence and equipped her with the tools to become financially independent.

With VIHAAN's support, Sangeeta was selected for a teaching position at a school with higher pay and now earns a monthly salary of ₹9,000.

Today, Sangeeta is proud to support her family financially and build a brighter future for herself and her children.

*Name has been changed to protect identity.

09/04/2026

Recently, VIHAAN supported a family whose teenage daughter Ananya* went missing.

Her mother was extremely distressed and kept saying this behaviour was completely out of character. Something didn’t feel right.

In the days leading up to her disappearance, the family had noticed changes:

Withdrawal from usual routines
Increased secrecy
Influence from a new friend
Behaviour that felt unusual and worrying
At first, these changes can seem like normal teenage behaviour. But sometimes, they can signal something more serious - including grooming, elopement, or risk of trafficking.

When Ananya didn’t return home, the family filed a missing person report. VIHAAN stepped in to support - following up with authorities, engaging with child protection systems, and advocating for urgent action.

When a child goes missing, every moment matters. But prevention matters even more.

Sudden behavioural changes in children don’t always mean something is wrong, but they are worth paying attention to.

Things to watch for:

Sudden withdrawal or secrecy
New friendships with little information
Unexplained absences
Changes in mood or routine
Increased secrecy around phones or online activity
Creating open conversations, building trust, and staying aware can make a critical difference.

At VIHAAN, we work with families, communities, and authorities to support children at risk and respond when urgent situations arise. Because every child deserves to be safe. And every family deserves support when something doesn’t feel right.

07/04/2026

As part of VIHAAN's rescue and recovery work, we provide mental health and emotional support to survivors. The people we meet have experienced unimaginable trauma and often spent long periods without care or support.

Social workers and counselors are core team members in our rehabilitation programs, providing trauma-informed care, counseling, and ongoing psychological support from the moment of rescue onward.

When survivors receive proper counseling alongside practical support, they're more likely to complete training, secure employment, and build independent lives for themselves. Mental healthcare is an essential part of our work.

03/04/2026

One of our strongest weapons against child trafficking is the law itself. POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012) protects children under 18 and allows authorities to charge traffickers under stringent provisions.

Many cases of survivors that we accompany throughout their legal journeys fall under the POCSO Act, but most children and young adults we meet do not know they have these rights.

As part of VIHAAN's awareness-raising work, we go to schools and teach students about boundaries, consent, and their rights, including the POCSO Act.

31/03/2026

Ten students from our Kalwa skill training batch visited a McDonald's for an exposure visit, where they were able to meet staff, ask questions, and get a look into a workplace.

We are always excited to expose students to different work environments, as they enable them to frame their expectations and connect them to potential employers.

This visit was a great opportunity for our trainees to see what working in hospitality really looks like.

27/03/2026

Converging - To Rebuild Lives.

We are happy to share that VIHAAN’s Convergence Meeting held today in Bangalore was a great success, bringing together a strong cross-section of stakeholders — including the Police Department, Department of Women & Child Development, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Social Welfare Department, Labour Department, along with Corporates and NGO partners.

The meeting reflected a powerful alignment towards building a more coordinated, survivor-centered ecosystem for rehabilitation and economic empowerment.

A particularly moving moment was when two survivor champions shared their journeys — from hopelessness to hopefulness — leaving the entire room deeply touched and inspired.

These are the moments that reaffirm why collective action matters. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

24/03/2026

As part of VIHAAN's education and child safety programme, we hold sessions on topics including s*xual health and trafficking prevention.

In one of these sessions, 20 students explored the important topic of s*x and gender. Through open discussion, they learned about the basic differences between these concepts and why equality and respect matter in all relationships. We followed the session with a relaxation activity and simple yoga exercises to help students relax and feel comfortable.

We believe that education is about creating a space for young people where they feel safe to learn, reflect, and grow.

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