A Class IX student takes online English tuitions after school. Then it’s time for homework, followed by dance practice. Sometimes she squeezes in an hour of maths tuition. At bedtime, she likes reading stories. The 14-year-old dreams of fighting for children’s rights as a lawyer and buying a big house of her own.

Her dreams are new. It has been only two years since she went back to school after recovering from years of abuse at home.

The girl’s story will come alive on Saturday when children from Mahima Homes stage a dance drama on child abuse at home at GD Birla Sabhagar.

A large number of children face abuse at home, according to social workers. “It is a rampant but hidden crime as family members seldom allow the victim to speak up or take legal action,” said Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti, the chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

The teenager was sexually abused for four months by her mother’s male friend when she was 10.

“We have been getting a number of children who have been sexually abused by their mothers’ friends. When the abuse comes out in the open they often lose their mother’s support. Last year we got five such children,” said Smita Singh, the director of justice initiatives at Mahima Homes.

“None of them came from red-light areas. Typically they come from middle and lower-income group families where the mother has been abandoned or widowed. Many of them do odd jobs or work as domestic help and are financially dependent on their male friends,” Singh said.

The shelter at present has 30 children.

Less than 10 per cent victims of child abuse at home complain, according to social workers.

The 14-year-old was encouraged by her grandmother to speak up. “The man would come home when the mother was at work (as a maid) to abuse the daughter. He was caught red-handed by the child’s grandmother who filed a police complaint,” Singh said.

The girl testified against the perpetrator despite her mother asking her to keep quiet. Her courage and perseverance landed the accused in jail for 20 years and fetched her Rs 3 lakh in compensation from the state government.

“Sexual abuse at home is rampant the world over. Few minors, however, can avail themselves of their rights to therapy, compensation and legal aid,” Chatterjee Chakraborti added.

It’s been two years since the 14-year-old has gone back to a mainstream school and begun preparing for her boards. “I want more children to stand up for their rights,” she said.

The girl and her friends at the shelter have been busy rehearsing for the play that tells their stories. “They have been practising for over two months. It is turning out to be a cathartic experience for many kids here. Initially, there was a lot of anger, some would cry. Now they are calmer, ready to encourage others to speak up,” said Sanchayita Haldar, dance therapist and director of the play.