Activist Somy Ali is raising the alarm over a troubling surge in cases reaching her organisation, No More Tears. The charity supports survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
In just two weeks, the organisation received 37 referrals. Each one represents a person whose life has been disrupted by violence, exploitation, fear or trauma.
“Over the past two weeks, No More Tears has received 37 referrals. Every one represents a human being whose life has been interrupted by violence, exploitation, fear or unimaginable betrayal,” Ali says.
37 Referrals Highlight a Growing Crisis
The recent cases paint a disturbing picture. Among the referrals are 17 domestic violence cases, along with several human trafficking cases.
Moreover, many of the survivors are young. The trafficking victims are reportedly between 15 and 24, while the domestic violence survivors range from their twenties to thirties.
For Ali, their ages make the situation even more painful. These are young people who should be thinking about education, careers, friendships and their futures.
Instead, some are fighting simply to stay safe.
“These numbers are not statistics to me. There are 37 lives asking us not to look away,” Ali says.
When a Neighbour’s Call Saves a Life
One case has particularly stayed with Ali. It involves a 22-year-old woman from Delhi who was allegedly brought to the United States by an IT professor she had married.
According to Ali, the woman endured around two years of physical and sexual abuse. Eventually, a neighbour heard what was happening and contacted the police.
That phone call reportedly helped change the young woman’s situation.
“Think about that for a moment. A neighbor saved her life,” Ali says.
However, the incident also raises a difficult question. How many victims remain trapped because nobody notices what is happening?
How many are waiting for a friend, neighbour or stranger to recognise the signs and step in?
A 15-Year-Old Girl Allegedly Trafficked by Family
Another case involves a 15-year-old girl from Virginia who was allegedly trafficked by her own brother in exchange for methamphetamine.
The teenager reportedly experienced severe abuse and deprivation. For Ali, the fact that the victim is just 15 makes the case especially heartbreaking.
“She is fifteen,” Ali says. “She should be worrying about school, friends, music, her future, not whether she will survive another day.”
At the same time, Ali has chosen not to reveal the most disturbing details. She says there is no reason to sensationalise a survivor’s suffering.
Instead, the focus should remain on protection, recovery and accountability.
Rescue Is Only the Beginning
For Ali, removing a survivor from immediate danger is only the first step.
After that, survivors may need safe housing, medical treatment and psychological support. They may also need financial assistance and help rebuilding their independence.
“We don’t believe rescue ends when someone is removed from danger,” she explains.
According to Ali, real recovery means helping survivors regain safety, stability and dignity. Most importantly, it means giving them the ability to make decisions about their own lives again.
Therefore, the goal is not simply survival. It is rebuilding a future.
Violence Can Affect Any Community
After years of working with survivors, Ali says she has learned that violence does not belong to one particular community.
It can cross boundaries of race, religion, nationality and economic background. Moreover, survivors can come from vastly different walks of life.
What connects them is not their identity. Instead, it is what they have experienced and their strength in surviving it.
“Violence is violence. Trafficking is trafficking. Abuse is abuse,” Ali says.
She also refuses to turn individual cases into arguments about communities. Instead, she believes the focus should remain on exploitation and the silence that allows abuse to continue.
“The enemy is exploitation. The enemy is silence. The enemy is the belief that someone else’s suffering is someone else’s problem.”
Recognising the Warning Signs Matters
The 37 referrals also carry an important message for the wider public. People should not wait for a tragedy to become obvious before they act.
Ali urges friends, neighbours, teachers and community members to pay attention. A person who suddenly becomes fearful, isolated or controlled may need help.
Similarly, young people should learn about coercion and exploitation. Understanding these warning signs can help them recognise dangerous situations earlier.
“Listen when someone says they are afraid. Believe someone when their story doesn’t sound convenient. Teach young people what coercion and exploitation look like,” Ali says.
Furthermore, intervention does not always require extraordinary action.
Sometimes, it begins with a simple phone call.
One Person Can Make a Difference
The story of the 22-year-old survivor demonstrates how powerful that intervention can be.
A neighbour noticed something was wrong. Instead of ignoring it, the person contacted the authorities.
That decision reportedly changed the young woman’s life.
“A phone call from one neighbor changed the trajectory of a 22-year-old woman’s life,” Ali says.
She now wants others to consider what could happen if more people chose to intervene when they saw warning signs.
In other words, being that neighbour could make all the difference.
No More Tears Continues Its Work
Despite the difficult cases reaching the organisation, Ali says No More Tears will continue standing beside survivors.
The organisation aims to provide support beyond the immediate crisis. That includes helping survivors access resources and move towards greater safety and independence.
For Ali, sympathy alone is not enough.
Survivors need practical help. They also need people who believe them, support them and stand beside them during recovery.
Somy Ali Appeals for Support
As the organisation continues responding to referrals, Ali is also asking the public to support its work.
Donations can help provide resources and assistance to people escaping violence and exploitation. Supporters can contribute through the organisation’s website, nomoretearsusa.org.
However, Ali’s message goes beyond fundraising.
It is also a reminder that awareness can save lives. Listening matters. Believing survivors matters. And acting when something feels wrong can matter even more.
A Message of Hope for Survivors
Above all, Ali wants survivors to know that their experiences do not define them.
The violence they endured is something that happened to them. It is not who they are.
“What happened to you is not who you are. You are not what someone did to you. You are still here. And that matters.”
Ultimately, Somy Ali’s message is clear: 37 referrals are not just numbers. They are 37 people who need someone to care, listen and act.
Don’t look away. Learn the warning signs, support survivors and help create a world where asking for help is met with action, dignity and hope.
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