WARIF Survivor Stories
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature, where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence are shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgment or stigmatization and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society. The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organization set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence, and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach that covers health, education, and community service initiatives.
WARIF aids survivors of rape and sexual violence through the WARIF Centre – a haven where trained professionals are present full time, 6 days a week including public holidays to offer immediate medical care, forensic medical examinations, psycho-social counseling, and welfare services which include shelter, legal aid, and vocational skills training. These services are provided FREE of charge to any survivor who walks into the Centre.

My name is Salewa,* I am 20 years old and have been working as a housemaid for Mr. and Mrs. Imoleayo since I was 12 years old. Mr. Seun, Mr. Imoleayo’s younger brother, stayed in the same building with us, but in a separate apartment close to the stewards’ quarters. He is a businessman who makes several business trips during the year but comes back every yuletide period.

From the year I started working for the Imoleayos’, at age 12, Mr. Seun has been abusing me sexually.

It started on a particular evening, while I was tidying up my washing chores, Mr. Seun walked up to me and told me to finish what I was doing, and follow him to his house. Sensing my reluctance, he waited for me to finish my task, and forced me to follow him to his apartment. On getting there, he asked me to take off my clothes and he forcefully had sexual intercourse with me. Mr. Seun threatened to kill me if I ever told anyone about the incident; afraid for my life, I endured it without telling any member of the family. I endured because being an orphan, I had no hope for an education and the reason I applied to work as a maid was because of the desire that I had to complete my secondary school education. I did not want to jeopardize my chances of getting educated. However, Mr. Seun’s presence around the house caused me emotional trauma, and I developed a strong hatred for him.

Mr. Seun continued to sexually abuse me regularly and at one point, when I was in Senior Secondary School, I missed my period. I was still afraid because Mr. Seun did not fail to remind me each time of what he would do to me if I spoke about what was happening to anyone. So, I still did say anything nor tell anyone until my boss and her husband got to know about the pregnancy and who was responsible. What they did next surprised me. They made arrangements for me to get an abortion and said nothing further about the matter. They did not reprimand the perpetrator but allowed him to continue living with us. I was disappointed and traumatized but the thought of continuing my education encouraged me, so I tried to move on.

On another occasion, after Mr. Seun returned from one of his trips, he forcefully had sex with me again and threatened me. Some weeks after that, I took ill and missed my period. It was when Mrs. Imoleayo’s sister came to visit that she noticed how I looked and suspected that I was pregnant. She asked me if anyone had slept with me, and I told her. When they questioned Mr. Seun, he denied it, telling them that such an act was a thing of the past and that if I was pregnant, he had nothing to do with it. The next morning, I was taken to the hospital. The doctor listened to my boss’ complaints and told her that I had an infection which was the reason my period was delayed. He did not carry out any tests or examinations on me. The doctor then prescribed some injections and medications which a nurse came to administer at the house daily for 6 days. When this was completed, my boss started giving me some drugs which looked similar to the ones she gave me the last time when they aborted the pregnancy that I had.

At the resumption of the third term, I was not allowed to go back to school. The school management committee called to inquire about the reason for my absence, considering that I was a very brilliant student, and they told them that they were withdrawing me from school because I was stealing from them. The school management pleaded with them to allow me to complete the last term. They initially refused but decided later to allow me to return to the school. Upon resumption, the school authorities observed that I was looking pregnant, so they engaged me in a conversation. This time, I opened up to the head of the school and other teachers on the committee and they reported the case to the police. From the police station, I was referred to the WARIF Rape Crises Centre for medical support.

At the WARIF Rape Crises Centre, I went through proper medical assessment, treatment, and counseling free of charge. I lost the pregnancy due to the medication that I was constantly given by my former employers. Although I felt sad initially, after the counseling sessions I felt better and grateful for life, because things could have gotten worse if had not left the abusive household. I could have lost my life through several abortions or continued abuse. The perpetrators were charged to court and sentenced to jail for crimes committed against me.

The continued counseling sessions I have had at the WARIF Centre continue to help me maintain mental and psychological balance. I was placed in a shelter home where I wrote my WAEC and JAMB examinations and passed with flying colours and I have gained admission to study medicine at one of Nigeria’s prestigious universities. On a positive note, I believe that I can achieve my dream of becoming a medical doctor, owning an NGO, and becoming an advocate for sexual and gender-based violence. I hope, especially to help victims of rape and all forms of sexual abuse. I have a more positive outlook on life, many thanks to the WARIF!

-End-
* Real name of survivor changed for confidentiality
Dear survivor, please know that you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Help is available. If you have been raped or know someone who has, please visit us at:
The WARIF Centre
6, Turton Street, off Thorburn Avenue, Sabo, Yaba.
or call our 24-hour confidential helpline on
0800-9210-0009
For questions or more information please contact: [email protected]