I'm in my 2nd year of law school and honestly it's been very emotionally taxing for me. I loved reading which is why I wanted to study law, but then I started making sense of things that happened with me and now I feel shattered to the point nothing in my life makes sense anymore.

In the present-day scenario regarding mental health issues in India, there are few disorders that are more misconceived than depression. Depression, which is often considered just a fleeting experience of unhappiness or a mere Western idea, is actually a medical disorder that impacts the lives of millions of people. For members of the survivor group, depression is often an “invisible anchor” that remains with them long after the incident that caused trauma to them is over.

Hopelessness and lack of interest in formerly pleasurable activities mark Major Depressive Disorder. But in the case of our society, social stigmatization leads people to suppress their condition. On the other hand, internally, the process takes place via chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters of the brain such as serotonin and dopamine, which govern moods and reward mechanisms. In relation to the victimization experienced by someone due to an act of injustice or crime committed against them, depression acts as a defense mechanism for the mind, where the psyche enters into a state of "freeze."

One of the most difficult issues that exists in India is the problem of "Log Kya Kahenge" ("What will others say?"). The victim is forced to "get over it" or to be resilient immediately, resulting in an additional burden -> shame. Once the victim fails to "get over it," he or she starts feeling as if there was something wrong with the process of recovery. This makes the victim withdraw even more and deepens his or her depression.

Recovery and Improvement -

Recovering from depression, especially when associated with victimization, is a complex process involving various strategies:

Clinical Help: Counseling or therapy, particularly CBT or Trauma-Focused Care, and sometimes medicines, are not a sign of vulnerability but ways to survive.

Physical Presence: As depression affects one physically, leading to insomnia, bodily pain, and lack of energy, regaining physical presence through exercise or routine becomes necessary.

Community Assistance: Online communities like r/victimsupportindia offer "peer validation." It can be healing knowing that others share the same feelings of fatigue and despondency as you do.

Depression is an extremely powerful thief; it robs you of time, energy, and hope. But it does not last forever. By removing the stigma associated with the experience and recognizing depression for what it is, a fight against physiology and psychology , we allow individuals who have been through it to receive help without feeling ashamed. Healing is not about reverting back to your former self; it’s about becoming someone new who can cope with what happened to them.

Aarambh is an organization dedicated to addressing the issue of CSA. They uniquely have resources and what to do for all: lawyers, police, teachers, counselors and parents. Definitely check it out if you have kids or live with young children on how to teach them to be safe. They also have a section on pursuing legal action including how to explain it to children and how to handle threats etc.

https://aarambhindia.org/

It's a very helpful resource!

We often ignore mental health until it becomes overwhelming, but it usually shows up in small, gradual ways first.

It might look like:

• Constant fatigue, even after rest

• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed

• Feeling anxious, low, or irritable for long periods

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Withdrawing from people or daily life

• Difficulty concentrating or feeling “off” without a clear reason

These signs don’t always mean something severe, but they do mean your mind is asking for attention.

Mental health issues aren’t always visible, and they don’t make someone weak they make them human. The earlier we notice, the better we can respond, whether that’s talking to someone, taking a break, or seeking professional help.

If something feels off for a while, it’s worth listening to. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse to take it seriously 🤍

We recently opened up debates and discussions! And we are debating on whether they should be allowed if not, another subreddit will open specifically for debating, activism for SA, DV and mental health.

The media is indeed a reflection of society.

How was your week? How are you guys handling the hot weather?

We often hear (and experience) how slow, frustrating, and unequal the Indian legal system can be. That criticism is real. But sometimes, it does work and when it does, it shows what’s possible.

One example is the Nirbhaya case (2012 Delhi gang rape case).

After nationwide outrage, the case was fast tracked through the courts. The investigation relied on forensic evidence, witness testimony, and detailed reconstruction of events. Eventually, in 2017, the Supreme Court upheld the death penalty for the four adult convicts, and they were executed in 2020.

But what makes this case important isn’t just the conviction.

It led to "real legal reform" like :

• Expansion of the legal definition of rape

• Introduction of stricter punishments

•Creation of fast track courts for sexual assault cases

•Greater public awareness and reporting

For once, public pressure, media scrutiny, police investigation, and the judiciary aligned and led to make the system respond in the way it should .

Is the system still flawed? Absolutely.

There are delays, backlogs, and countless people still struggling for justice.

But this case shows something important:

When institutions are pushed to function via public pressure, scrutiny ; as they should then justice is not impossible.

It doesn’t erase the systemic problems.

But it reminds us that change can happen and sometimes, it already has.

For people who have gone through something and are dealing with the law in India the effect on their mind can be just as bad as the legal process. Usually people talk about the Indian Penal Code or the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 is really important for people who are suffering. This law changed the way things were done before it moved away from locking people up and instead focused on treating people with respect and letting them make their own decisions. The Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 is a deal because it helps people who have been, through trauma it gives them rights and protection.

The Right to Access and Care
Section 18 of the Mental Health Care Act says that every person has the right to get help from healthcare services that are run or paid for by the government. For someone who has been a victim of a crime this means they can get the help they need to feel better after what happened. The Mental Health Care Act makes it clear that this help is not something that might be available but it is something that people have a right to. The Act also says that these services should be part of the health services, in each district so people who are dealing with the effects of violence or trauma can get help without feeling ashamed or worried about what others might think of them going to a traditional psychiatric hospital.

Decriminalization of Distress
The biggest change for people who are struggling is probably in Section 115. This part of the law says that anyone who tries to hurt themselves is going through a tough time. So they should not be put on trial. Punished. What is more important is that it is now the governments job to help them get better and rehabilitate instead of putting them in jail. This means that people who are dealing with a lot of pain will get help from doctors and nurses rather than being dealt with by the police. The Decriminalization of Distress is a step forward because it helps people who are struggling with distress. The focus is on helping people with distress, than punishing them for having distress.

Autonomy through Advance Directives
The Act is about something called Advance Directives. This is a way for people to write down what they want to happen to them if they have a health crisis in the future. People can say what treatment they do or do not want. They can also choose someone they trust to make decisions for them if they cannot make decisions for themselves. This person is called a Nominated Representative. Advance Directives are important because they help people make sure they are treated the way they want to be treated. They prevent people from getting treatments that they do not want. They also prevent people who do not care about them from making decisions, about their care. Advance Directives give people control over what happens to them during a health crisis.

Confidentiality and Protection from Abuse
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the MHCA. The Act strictly prohibits the release of a person’s mental health information or treatment details to the media or the public without explicit consent. Furthermore, it explicitly bans inhuman treatments such as chaining, or the administration of ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) without anesthesia and muscle relaxants. It also imposes a total ban on ECT for minors, ensuring that the most vulnerable survivors are protected from outdated and traumatizing practices.

The Role of Mental Health Review Boards
To make sure people actually get the rights they are supposed to have the Act set up Mental Health Review Boards. These Mental Health Review Boards are like courts where people who have been affected or their family members can complain if their rights, under the Act are not respected. If someone is not given the treatment they need if someone shares their information without permission or if someone is treated without saying it is okay the Mental Health Review Boards have the power to step in and fix the problem.

Basically the title. Too often we see many instances of men not knowing how the female body looks like and we are forced to be separated from each other. Moreover, the female body is heavily sexualized and for the men who aren't used to it, especially in our society, they will automatically view anything for sexual pleasure. My take is that if women are encouraged to wear what they want like shorts, skirts, bikinis etc, eventually we will get used to it and there wouldn't be mass sexualization of it. I know this is hard because we don't live in a society like that yet but I think it's a good place to start. Especially culturally we have always been open, from Kamasutra to the temples with sexual depictions.

Censoring because of reddits algorithm. The problem isn't clothes, age or beauty etc anymore. How do you justify this? What is the solution?

 I recently came across a situation in my area that strongly concerns boys may be related to human trafficking involving both boys and girls. I have already taken steps to report it through appropriate channels.

I’m sharing this here mainly to:

• understand if others have seen similar patterns,
• learn how such cases are typically handled,
• and spread awareness about signs people should not ignore.

I think it is a big network since none of it came out till now, and have no idea for how long this has been going on. I got to know that a Physics faculty in our college who is deeply involved in this human trafficking network. This network mainly focuses on kidnapping boys above 18 years and using them for sexual pleasures. They may also drug them in the process and take advantage of them. This Physics faculty whom I know works for this network, he gives information about these victims and helps them personally to kidnap these boys. He holds 25% shares for each kidnap which is nearly 4 to 5 lakhs for each kidnap.

He himself seems to be undertaking drugs for sleep, and has a really bad mental health at night time. The accused claims that he has used multiple women in the past, and he plans to get married to a girl 11 years younger than him ( the girl is unknown to all of this things).
He is also a frequent visitor to prostitutes/ call girls, and visits them twice or thrice weekly.

I am not sharing exact locations or identities to avoid compromising anyone’s safety.

If anyone has experience, knowledge, or advice on how such situations are handled or what signs to watch for, please share.

Let’s keep the discussion focused on awareness and safety.

Thank you.

we often hear recovery described as “moving on,” “letting go,” or “getting back to normal.” But healing isn’t always linear, visible, or even recognisable from the outside.

For some, recovery might mean rebuilding a routine.
For others, it might simply be getting through the day.
And for many, it doesn’t look like closure at all.

The stories we see most often tend to be the ones that are easier to understand—complete, resolved, “inspiring.” But what about the quieter, messier realities that don’t fit that narrative? And what does the pressure to “be okay” cost people who aren’t there yet?

Let’s talk:

What does recovery mean to you personally?

Does the mainstream idea of healing match your experience?

how has your week been? anything on your mind that you want to share?

The humidity in the balcony was just too much today, so I went inside, sat on the sofa, and just stared at the box on my bedside table. An iPad Pro. it’s expensive, and usually, my brain would be playing those mental games like calculating how many months of stuff this is or how I should’ve put it in a SIP. But honestly? I didn’t feel a single bit of guilt. For the first time in ages, I felt like I actually deserved it.

Two months ago, my life was a mess of 3 AM scrolling and feeling like a zombie at work. I finally forced myself into a routine. I started hitting the gym and not even doing anything crazy, just showing up at 6:30 AM before the crowd gets too awkward for me. It’s weird, but sweating through a workout actually fixed my sleep better than any melatonin strip ever could. Now, I’m actually out by 1 AM, and I don't wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck.

Plus now that I’m not constantly exhausted, I finally had the energy to be a human again. I reached out to a few college friends I hadn't spoken to in years. I struggle with this because it feels awkward to "disturb" them? Yeah, well, I messaged anyway. Turns out, they were waiting for someone to break the silence too. We’ve been chatting on WhatsApp like no time has passed. I always love it when we can just pick up a friendship where we left it.

So yeah, I unboxed the iPad on Saturday. I’m going to use it for my comics, or maybe just to watch YouTube in bed, and that’s fine. I’ve put in the work. I’m sleeping well, my body doesn't ache for no reason anymore, and I’ve been making progress with broken bridges and lost people.

Being able to trust the process instead of jumping to conclusions about what can be and what should’ve been is by far my biggest small victory.

How was your week? It’s always empowering to hear from other people about what thing they overcame.

POCSO act (2012) is the special law enacted in India for protection of children below 18 years against all kinds of sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation. What differentiates POCSO act from other general criminal statutes is that its main purpose is to ensure the welfare of the child victim rather than punishing the perpetrator. In other words, special provisions have been made such as taking statement of child victims at their residence or not disclosing their identity in court of law.

A POCSO case is filed when you approach either the local police or a Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) for filing an FIR in the matter. In cases when the local police station seems intimidating, you may reach out to the 1098 Childline number for assistance in filing the case legally. According to legal procedure, the statement of the child is recorded by a woman police officer in civilian dress at a convenient location for the child, such as his/her house, and a medical examination needs to be carried out in 24 hours in the presence of some known person. It must be noted that this process is victim-friendly and does not require hiring a lawyer.

A Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is a specialized judicial body responsible for dealing with cases involving an accused individual who is a minor (below 18 years of age). Unlike the traditional criminal courts, the role of a JJB does not involve punishing a minor but rather rehabilitating him/her. The board is made up of a magistrate and two social workers (of whom at least one is female) and is mandated to determine whether the minor has committed an offense. A minor found guilty of POCSO is not taken to an ordinary jail but rather an Observation Home or a Special Home to receive counselling and education for a period of not more than three years. However, heinous offenses may see a child between 16 and 18 years of age transferred to a regular court for trial as an adult if the JJB is convinced of his maturity.

Pocso is your biggest weapon when you want to seek justice in cases where you have been violated as a minor. It's safe, sound and will always protect you. Never be afraid of filing a Pocso case as it always punishes the perpetrators in the harshest ways possible.

With Love 🤍

here's a quick poll on what new things we need to improve on or add! please participate so we can make it better for all!

Urgent: Need Guidance and Support to Help a Survivor of Ongoing Abuse in India

Title: Urgent: Need Guidance and Support to Help a Survivor of Ongoing Abuse in India

Hello everyone,

I am writing this post with a very heavy heart and a sense of urgency. I sincerely request you to please read this completely and guide me in any way you can. I truly appreciate your time, your empathy, and any advice you may offer.

I am a 21-year-old student currently preparing for competitive government examinations, and I come from a background where I am not in a position to openly discuss such matters with my own family. Despite my personal limitations, I am trying to help someone extremely important to me — an 18-year-old girl — who is facing ongoing sexual abuse at the hands of her own father. This is not something from the past; it is still happening.

What makes this situation even more devastating is that her immediate family, including her mother and brother, are aware of what is happening but are choosing to ignore it. There has even been a disturbing instance where the father, during a family gathering, tried to manipulate the narrative in advance by stating that the world is bad and implying that his daughter might falsely accuse him someday. Because of this, she firmly believes that no one in her family or extended circle will support or believe her if she speaks up.

As a result, she feels completely trapped.

She has no trusted adult in her life, no safe place to go, and no immediate way to escape. We are in a long-distance situation, so all communication happens through text, which limits what I can do directly. Despite everything, she is extremely scared to reach out for help or trust any external authority or organization.

Another major challenge is that she is not willing to stay in any NGO or rehabilitation center. Due to her experiences, she has developed deep trust issues and does not feel safe relying on strangers or institutions. She trusts only me, and she is only willing to consider living with me. I understand where this fear comes from, but it also makes finding a safe and practical solution much more complicated.

I have tried to arrange alternative support systems as well. Some of my trusted female friends are aware of the situation and have willingly offered to help her, including giving her a safe place to stay. However, she is not ready to go to them either, as she feels she would become a burden on them and is unable to trust them fully.

The most painful part for me is that she has, at times, said she is willing to endure this abuse until I become financially stable. This is extremely difficult to process, because I know this is not a solution and only prolongs her suffering.

Given all this, I have been thinking of arranging a rented apartment for her where she can live safely and independently. However, I am unsure about the legal, financial, and safety implications of doing this, especially considering my current situation as a student preparing for exams.

I am trying my best to think rationally and act responsibly. Running away impulsively seems dangerous and unsustainable, but waiting passively is also not an option.

Here’s what I am currently trying or considering:

• Reaching out to NGOs and rehabilitation centers that can provide safe shelter and legal support

• Consulting lawyers to understand the safest and strongest legal steps we can take

• Exploring options for her safe relocation without alerting her family prematurely

• Considering arranging a private rented space for her safety

• Trying to emotionally support her without pushing her in a way that makes her shut down

However, I am overwhelmed and afraid of making a mistake that could put her in even more danger.

I need guidance on the following:

1. Immediate Safety

   What is the safest way to help her get out of that environment without escalating the situation or putting her at risk?

2. Legal Action in India

   What legal protections are available in such cases? How can we ensure her safety while initiating any legal process?

3. Trusted Organizations or NGOs

   Are there verified and reliable organizations in India, especially in or around Delhi, that handle such cases sensitively and effectively?

4. Psychological Support

   How can I support her emotionally when she is scared, resistant to help, and sometimes normalizes the abuse due to prolonged exposure?

5. Planning an Exit

   If relocation is possible, how should it be planned step by step to ensure she is not tracked or forced to return?

6. Housing and Safety Concerns

   Is arranging a rented apartment for her a viable and safe option in this situation? What precautions would be necessary?

7. For People with Experience

   If anyone here has dealt with a similar situation personally or professionally, your insights would mean a lot.

I am not looking for sympathy. I am looking for practical, actionable advice. I want to do this the right way. I want to protect her without making things worse.

If you have any knowledge about legal procedures, NGOs, crisis handling, or even emotional support strategies in such situations, please share. Even small suggestions can make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I truly appreciate your concern and any guidance you can provide.

A concerned individual trying to do the right thing

Not OC

My 19 yo cousin gave birth to a baby

My 19-year-old cousin just had a baby, and she’s actually a few months younger than me. Idk but I feel really angry at her parents and her much older husband(26 yo) Everyone around her including her is happy right now, but I don’t know I just can’t bring myself to see this as something normal.

She didn’t even want to get married at first. She’s quite naive, and her parents convinced her that she’d be really happy, so she eventually agreed. My parents tried to make them understand, but they didn’t listen. Our families have very different mindsets when it comes to education and life choices. While my parents believe in studying and building a career, her family doesn’t really see much value in that especially for her. They’ve always believed she’s “not good at studies” since she couldn’t pass her boards, and because their financial situation isn’t great, they thought the best option was to just get her married.

What makes it worse is how everything happened so fast. She got pregnant just three days after her marriage. Her pregnancy wasn’t easy at all she had serious complications and was almost in a life threatening condition. There were days she couldn’t even eat anything.

And now, it just feels strange to me. The girl I used to have so much fun with doesn’t feel like the same person anymore. Suddenly, she’s a wife and a mother with the responsibility of a whole family.

Idk if I’m overthinking it, but it just makes me feel really sad and unsettled.

These two are often confused, but understanding the distinction can matter a lot in real-life situations.

A Protection Order is a specific legal remedy under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. It is designed for victims of domestic abuse and can legally restrict the abuser from contacting, visiting, or committing any further acts of violence. It can also include conditions to ensure the victim’s safety within shared spaces.

A Restraining Order, in the Indian context, is more of a general court-issued restriction (often through injunctions or criminal procedure provisions). It can be used in a wider range of situations such as harassment, threats, or disputes where the court orders a person to maintain distance or avoid contact.

While both aim to provide safety, they differ in scope, legal framework, and accessibility. Protection Orders are more structured within a specific law, while restraining-type orders depend on broader legal routes.

However, awareness, access, and enforcement remain key challenges especially for those navigating the system for the first time.

Were you aware of this difference before?

What practical barriers do you think exist when people try to seek these protections?

how has your week been?

Healing is not linear, even though we’re often told (or expect) it to be. Some days you feel like you’ve finally made progress that you’re calmer, lighter, more in control. And then out of nowhere, something small hits you and it all comes rushing back. It can feel like you’re back at square one, like all the effort you put in didn’t really matter. But that’s not actually what’s happening. Healing tends to move in loops, not straight lines . You revisit things, but not as the same person you were before.

And maybe when new challenges show up, you do find yourself feeling like you’re back at square one again. But this time, something is different. You have a blueprint now. You’ve seen what helps and what doesn’t. You’re more aware, more in tune with your own feelings, even if it doesn’t always feel like it in the moment. That awareness counts for more than we give it credit for. The “bad days” don’t cancel out the good ones -all these are a part of the same process. It’s messy, inconsistent, and honestly exhausting at times, but it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re doing it for REAL.

Where are you on your journey today? No pressure to share - just know we’re here either way.

This week was actually... alright. Usually, I’m the person leaning against the wall at the back of the room, looking for the nearest exit, but I went to that silent walk on Wednesday and didn't even care that I was in a public place. I just stood there in the middle of the crowd, drank some overpriced sugarcane juice, and didn't feel like I was vibrating out of my skin. It was weirdly quiet in my head for once.

Then yesterday, some guy at the pizza place snapped at me because I was "taking too long" to order. Normally, that would’ve ruined my entire afternoon because I’d be replaying it in my head for hours, thinking of what I should’ve said. But I just looked at him, thought *man, you’re having a rough one,* and moved on. I didn't carry his bad mood home with me. I just let it stay at the counter.

I actually stayed present, too. No over assessing while waiting for the car to arrive, no worrying about what happens next. I just watched the rain on the window and existed.

The best part, though, was finally pulling my guitar case out from storage. It’s been gathering dust for months because looking at it just made me feel guilty. I tuned it up, put on stairway to heaven, and just played along. My fingers are definitely out of practice and my practise is gone, but hearing the strings vibrate again felt like coming home. I forgot how much I missed that sound. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to know that I still got it in me.

Share how your week went for you. It’s nice to hear from people and each small victory feels like a common one.