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.

I am Tawa*, a 23-year-old lady, and this is my story.
I grew up not knowing whom my mom was. My dad informed me that she abandoned me at birth and never came back and no one had heard nor seen her since she left. I finished my secondary education despite the hardship I faced. My dad is a mechanic who repairs faulty cars in a friend’s garage. He struggled to make ends meet and we barely had enough to eat and I lacked motherly care. After my final paper, I left Ibadan for Lagos in public bus. I did not know my destination or where I was going to pass the night but I was desperate to be successful in life and I knew my father could not afford to send me to the University and I needed to get a job and save enough money to fulfil my dream of becoming an International Fashion Designer. I felt sorry that I did not bid him farewell but I knew he was not going to allow me go.
When I arrived Lagos, the driver dropped all passengers in the garage and I began to wander around the park hoping that I may see a friendly face to speak to but everyone seemed to be in hurry. At night, I sneaked into one of the buses and slept inside. I was surprised to have overslept such that the bus-owner returned in the morning and woke me up. I apologized and explained my circumstances to him, he had pity on me and gave me money to find something to eat and he also showed the public toilet to get a bathe.
He told other sympathizers my plight at the park and they allowed me to sit with them during the day and to pass the night at the park. About a week later, I began job hunting and while passing by a mechanic workshop, a man called me and asked what I seeking. I explained that I desperately needed a job to survive, then he asked me to wait for him, that his wife needed a sales girl to assist her in her business. He took me along to his house and I did not see anyone in the house, then he put a call across to a lady and he handed me the phone to speak to his wife and I did and she asked when I wanted to resume the job and I responded immediately, and she agreed to employ me. I returned the phone to him after our discussion.
He ended the call and pushed me on the sofa, he forcefully removed my clothes and when I tried to shout and he used his hands to cover my mouth and inserted his penis into my vagina and raped me. It was a painful experience. He threatened to kill me, if I ever told anyone, then he gave me three thousand naira and asked me to go. As I was leaving, he called me back and collected the money, I pleaded with him that I needed to get medication and I was bleeding because this was my first time of having sex. He refused and I was infuriated by his callousness and I proceeded to look for the nearest police station, luckily for me, I found one and reported the crime and the officers promptly followed me to the perpetrator’s location and he was arrested.
Fortunately, I was referred to the WARIF Rape Crises Centre from the police station. I immediately accessed medical examination, treatment and psycho-social counselling. The counsellor commended me for reporting the case promptly. The psycho-social counseling provided by the counselor at the center helped me to answer some of the questions troubling my mind. The counselor assured me that the rape incident was no fault of mine but is entirely the fault of the perpetrator. I was able to cope with the emotional and psychological trauma I experienced using the coping mechanism I was taught during my counseling sessions.
It’s been a year since the incident happened, the case was charged to court and the perpetrator was sentenced for crimes committed against me. I was given shelter through the support of WARIF CENTRE in collaboration with their partners. Most importantly, the group therapy sessions have helped me overcome self-blame, guilt, mood swings, and loss of concentration. I am faring well and currently enrolled in a fashion institute to fulfil my ambition of becoming a Fashion designer. I was recently given the award for the best designer in my class. All thanks to the WARIF Team, my life have been transformed!

-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]