Radhika's Story: Surviving Human Trafficking Kindle Edition by Joanna Lumley (Author), Sharon Hendry (Author) (New Holland Publishers)

A most powerful story of exploitation of one of our globe's weakest citizens. Born into poverty in Nepal Radhika's life was a descent into the most degenerate forms of human trafficking imaginable. Naive and totally alone a 14 year old girl is tricked into taking a journey which led to her kidney being removed to satisfy wealthy traders in body parts. An arranged marriage follows and unable to make any decision she is abused, beaten, robbed and left with a baby. The love for that child is Radhika's source of survival. The degeneration spirals through a series of filthy brothels. The true story does see some help from rare individuals of decency and after unimaginable horrors she does find refuge. One cannot read this and remain aloof to the suffering of girls in underdeveloped lands.

A seemingly innocent sip of Coca-Cola, drunk by a starving and desperately thirsty 16-year-old girl led to the first of Radhika Phuyal’s human trafficking experiences. Drugged, Radhika woke up hours later, in great pain, only to discover that her kidney had been removed and sold to the highest bidder. Radhika was married by force but tried to make the best of her situation. She had a much-loved son, but Rohan’s birth signified the next harrowing episode in Radhika’s life – she was trafficked again.

 Living in India, separated from her son and forced to have sex with up to 25 men a day, Radhika refused to accept her lot. Desperate to be reunited with her child, she fought against the odds, finding the strength to escape her horrific life and rescue her son and finally find sanctuary in a refuge set up to help survivors of trafficking. Journalist Sharon Hendry tells Radhika’s horrifying but incredibly inspiring story. She also highlights the pervasive nature of human trafficking in the 21st century.