About four years ago, I was pursuing my Master's in Gender, Culture, and Development. This transformative course shaped my perspective, allowing me to learn and unlearn. Amidst my studies, I often felt betrayed by loved ones who were supposed to ensure justice as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. However, this course also taught me about their limitations and how justice can differ from one person to another. In a society where many are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the law, people make decisions based on their sense of morality, believing it to be their version of justice. 
My family belonged to a migrated background, originating from a village that lacked even the most basic amenities like a ration shop, let alone schools and hospitals. The village remained untouched by the formal understanding of life's complexities, including the concept of justice. While I felt betrayed for being denied the justice I sought, my loved ones believed they had given me what they considered justice. Looking at things through their eyes, I began to see their perspective. 
Once I comprehended their background and circumstances, I couldn't hold onto the hurt feelings, even though, as a survivor, it was only natural for me to feel that way. As a student, however, I understood that having certain expectations from them would be unjust. This internal dilemma made me profoundly uneasy, with anger and pain consuming me for days. Eventually, unable to carry this burden alone, I decided to open up to my professors and seek their guidance. 
During this conversation with my professor, I learned something which not only stayed with me but also embraced, comforted, and uplifted me. At 23 years old, I contemplated filing a formal complaint against my abuser for an incident that had occurred twenty years earlier. Fueled by anger but lacking any emotional or financial support from my family and with declining health that hindered my ability to navigate the complexities of the legal system, I knew that pursuing this path would cost me more than I could ever imagine. It would have been a courageous and remarkable decision, but it still wouldn't have given me the desired justice. 
As I poured out my thoughts to my professor, she supported me to the best of her abilities. Her words resonated deeply within me: "Namrata, sometimes justice lies beyond the confines of the legal system. Study hard and soar so high that your abuser will never fathom how you could find such freedom amidst it all." 
And so, dear readers, those words became one of the most profound pieces of advice and wisdom I have ever received. I indeed studied diligently and soared beyond the limitations of my past. May our classrooms be blessed with more professors like her, and may none of us have to search for justice outside the places where it is meant to reside. 
By revisiting this personal journey, I hope to shed light on the intricate nature of justice and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Let us strive to create a world where justice is accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances. 
This post represents the author’s personal views and experiences. iDare doesn’t endorse or take responsibility for the opinions expressed.         
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