I am the only child of my parents. They have been separated since I was young. I currently live with my mother. I am a bit withdrawn and have very few friends. My daily life was limited only to school. I stopped in final year class. On a daily basis, I help my mother with various household chores.
It was 2 years ago. A young neighbor of mine in the capital, who had been courting me for a very long time, invited me to a party, not far from our neighborhood. I accepted. He kept me company until the end of the evening. When I felt ready to go home, I looked for my neighbor but didn’t see him again. So, I decided to go home alone. I left with a motorcycle taxi.
Unfortunately, on the way, the taxi driver hit another motorcycle, and I fell. I hit my head severely on the ground and passed out.
When I woke up the next day, I realized that I was not at home. I had severe headaches and saw myself surrounded by 3 boys, including my neighbor who had invited me the day before. I immediately asked them how I “landed” there and what they were all doing around me.
They started telling me what happened the day before. According to them, when the accident happened, they arrived at the scene and my neighbor, who recognized me right away, decided with his friends to transport me to my home.
Shortly after this story shared by the 3 boys, I started to feel excruciating pain in my lower abdomen.
I tried to stand up and noticed blood flowing between my thighs. I started to scream with all my might. I then found that I couldn't stand on my own two feet. I felt like I was high. I then understood, immediately, that the 3 young boys had drugged and abused me.
I tried to run away but I couldn’t stand up. The 3 young boys, afraid that someone would come and find them in the my presence, fled and left me alone in the room.
I couldn't get up to go out, and I kept screaming with all my might until a "mum" arrived to lend a hand. She dressed me, carried me on her back and took me to the nearest health center. She then contacted my mother. After this gang rape, I got pregnant. I am the mother of a 2-year-old girl. I have since suffered from total paralysis as a result of this rape. I haven’t been able to stand for 2 years now.
After I spoke about my problem with a humanitarian group, I benefited from psychosocial support and reinforced medical follow-up because in addition to the post-rape clinical care, UNHCR took charge of my rehabilitation (paralysis) sessions.
I also benefited from pre- and post-natal assistance with an NGO. My mother and I preferred not to lodge a complaint.
1. Rape: vaginal, anal or oral penetration without consent (even superficial), using the penis or another part of the body. Also applies to inserting an object into the vagina or anus.
2. Sexual assault: any form of sexual contact without consent that does not lead to or is not based on an act of penetration. Among other examples: attempted rape, as well as unwanted kissing, fondling and touching the genitals or buttocks. FGM is an act of violence that damages the sexual organs; they should therefore be classified as sexual assault. This type of incident does not include rape (which consists of an act of penetration).
3. It is considered that in the WCA region, 1 in 3 women have been sexually assaulted, and 1 in 5 raped.