Standing in the Way: From Trafficking Victim to Human Rights Activist

by Anjali Tamang, Sarah Symons

This compelling memoir shares Anjali’s incredible story of being trafficked at age twelve from her village in Nepal to the red light areas of Kolkata, India. Despite enduring the worst abuse imaginable, today Anjali is working to combat trafficking and protect the next generation of girls in her community. She is able to do so because of the help and healing she has received since being rescued in 2008. The stories of the courageous people who freed her and helped in her recovery are woven into the book alongside personal recollections and insights. This book explores the root causes of human trafficking and the factors in Anjali's family and community that made her vulnerable. It describes vividly her journey to India as a young child, and the large, complex network of traffickers. brothel owners and madams who were involved in selling, transporting and,exploiting her. The book sensitively portrays the difficult life of a young girl in a brothel. It is suitable for readers 15 and up. Anjali was eventually rescued, and the book tells that part of the story from the perspective of the rescuers as well as the girls themselves. Standing in the Way describes the innovative counseling and loving care that Anjali received after being rescued, which enabled her to recover from her trauma, develop her uniquely positive world view, and become a leader and activist. Anjali was able to return to Nepal, return to school and make up the many lost years of education. Now in college, she is planning to go back to her village and open a school and anti-trafficking charity that will prevent other girls in her village from having to suffer as she did. While child sex trafficking is a difficult subject, the book is ultimately hopeful and inspiring.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2021

Reviews

[Janet Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Testimonials about abuse are, tragically, not rare enough to rely on shock to sustain a reader’s interest through the inevitable grim play-by-play of human cruelty. All trafficking is shocking, but when poverty reliably produces suffering on a daily basis, the challenge is to make a single child’s experience memorable. Tamang and Symons have done that. They have managed to strike the right tone of clear factual presentation without hyperbole or heartstring-plucking to give the voice of a real woman. Essential reading.

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Standing in the Way' is a poignant and powerful account of Anjali's experience of being trafficked from Nepal to multiple brothels in India. Despite her harrowing experiences, the majority of the book focuses on Anjali's rescue, rehabilitation and life after being trafficked. It is a must-read because we get to hear Anjali's own voice in how she has come to terms with her childhood and how she is looking ahead to the future. The proceeds of the book are going towards Anjali's dream of building a school of her village to educate young girls as a way of safeguarding them against trafficking - her fundraising page can be found here: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/spring-school

Thank you to Anjali Tamang, Sarah Symons, Wallsend Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
Trafficking books are always horrifying to read. This was is too but there is so much inspiration too. It's heartbreaking to read about young girls being sold into trafficking by their family or fellow village people. The very same people that are supposed to love you and protect you. The lack of knowledge about the true nature of selling young girls is appalling yet understandable since many of these villages are so remote and poor. I really admire these brave young women who are able to be rescued from trafficking and dedicate their lives to prevent and help future survivors.

[Adam Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a number of books on this topic, but this one struck me as unique from the rest. It didn't have the flare or flashy style of other books which pulled hard on the emotions. Instead, the simple, direct, and honest depiction direct from the experience of a woman who went through it was fresh. It helped me understand what she experienced in a more authentic way. I recommend if you are at all interested in the plight of the vulnerable around the world.

[Zoe Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is valuable and important and not to be diminished by my rating. The lower stars are for the flow of the book and challenge of following at some parts.

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An appallingly true story of the sex trafficking of young girls in India and Nepal. Anjali is one of many from Nepal's poorest villages preyed upon and tricked into going to India to work, supposedly to make money for their families. After traveling with one trafficker, after another, she ends up in a brothel in Kolkata, where she is abused by the owners and the multitude of men who rape and force themselves on her day and night.

Anjali is one of the lucky ones. She survives the trauma and is rescued by some people who work to help the girls imprisoned as prostitutes. Taken back to Nepal, she lives in a home for other trafficked girls, who are also given safety, shelter, friendship, support, and healing. Anjali goes on to get an education, eventually graduating from high school and going on to college.

A remarkable story of a young girl who, against all odds, pursues her dreams to educate Nepalis on the brutality their girls suffer in India, along with her attempts to end the demeaning practice. Her focus and goal were to build a school in or near the community she grew up in. Her book ends with updates on the people in her life that helped her get to where she is today.

Thank you, NetGalley, Angali Tamang, and publishers, for the ARC.

[Anand Subramanian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start you cannot stop...

Feels like a fiction book, just because it is unimaginable. At the age when my biggest hardship was to not have enough chocolates what anjali has gone through is beyond comprehension. But then you are awe of her courage and determination. And then you are ashamed as to what low levels can man stoop to for fleeting physical enjoyment.

As a man, Sorry Anjali for all that you lost but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and you sure are the beacon this movement this needs.

[Linda Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poignant story is told in a straightforward manner covering the events leading up to Anjali’s being trafficked from her Nepali village to India, her experience there as a young girl, and her rescue and her recovery from the trauma. Her forgiveness of those who abused and manipulated her and her desire to change things for the next generation are inspiring. This is not only a story of the horrors of children being sexually exploited for the greed of others, but also a story of recovery and hope.

[Elizabeth Tiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Anjali’s story is both heart wrenching & hope filled. It is hard to imagine what those who are trafficked endure, it is also incredible to consider what it takes to recover and move beyond such trauma. However, not only does this young person do so, she has also taken her personal hardship and turned it into a mission to empower and save others. I cried, smiled and felt inspired by this story of hope.

[Linda Schneckenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Standing in the Way' is such a moving and informative book. It presents a courageous story, while educating us about the stages of Trafficking Rescue. The path begins with physical rescue, followed by mental and emotional rescue, includes the pursuit of justice and finishes with a reintegration into society. In my view, the book should be required reading for people everywhere working toward justice.

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A horrific telling of Anjali's trafficking nightmare from Nepal to the brothels of India, but ultimately uplifting in her rescue, rehabilitation and her plans for the future. Sensitively portrayed, this is a personal telling of an ongoing global problem.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important book to understand some the whys of human trafficking. Sadly, the trafficking story is not unique, however the rescue, transformation and hope of the author, is nothing short of a miracle. Read and you will want to take action to support this tragic and global issue.

[Pam Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching, beautiful first-person story of the day-to-day life of a young sex traffic victim, and the brave people who rescued her. The path out of her brothel torture and of becoming a healthy functioning person takes more than seven years and many charities and support organizations, but together they do it! Anjali Tamang tells how she heals. Then she sets out on achieving her goal of returning to the village where she was first kidnapped and starting a school that will protect the next generation of young girls from this terrible crime.

[Crystal M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by the survivor of child sex trafficking in Nepal. It is a very sad story that has a happy ending and really opens your eyes to just how bad the human trafficking is in Nepal and India. It is not like here where it is hidden, it happens in plain sight and no one cares to do anything about it. She has now moved back to the village she was trafficked from to open a school to help ensure that the next generation of girls doesn’t end up facing the same fate she did.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. A near miraculous story of redemption. Wow.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

In many ways this is a heartbreaking read, yet thanks to God and the passion and drive of Anjali this is also a book of hope and the promise that evil will not triumph.

[RS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book by 2 courageous and brilliant women.