Sexual violence affects millions across the globe, shattering the lives of women, men and children. The following personal account is the second in a series of five on the topic of sexual violence. It is about a 25-year-old woman from Burundi. Through this patient's words, Dr Vastine Toyota Niyonsenga explains the importance of the Seruka Centre’s awareness-raising work.
"Claire" received medical and psychological treament after being raped. Burundi, 2009.
Photo by MSF
NO! to sexual violence
‘OYA!’ means ‘NO!’ in Kirundi, the language of Burundi. It’s also the name of the movement that I’m a part of. OYA! has several thousand members. It originated from the ‘Seruka Initiative for Victims of Rape,’ which has just taken over management of the Seruka Centre. OYA! was created to say “NO!” to rape.
Sexual violence is a problem that cuts deep into your heart. Even before I joined OYA!, the name of the organisation reflected a feeling I already had. The population must be made aware that rape is a medical emergency, but also a crime that must be punished.
Recently, early one Friday evening, Claire*, a 25-year-old woman, arrived at the Seruka Centre. I was very moved when I saw her. Tears were streaming down her face. I spoke to her straightaway and reassured her, before giving her preventative treatment for HIV/AIDS, which was a medical priority. Even though the centre is open 24-hours-a-day, she preferred to go home and come back the next day for the rest of her treatment.
The following day, she was there, as agreed, sitting on a chair in our waiting room. She was even taking part in a health education session given by our team.
During the medical consultation, the emotion was still intense as she answered my questions. Bit by bit, she calmed down. She told me: “Yesterday at about 1500 h, a friend from my neighbourhood attacked me. He raped me. I feel so violated. I feel so dirty…”
I listened to her and let her express her emotions. She asked a lot of questions and we tried to reassure her. Throughout the process – from her arrival, to the medical consultation, and then to the psychological meeting – she calmed down bit by bit. We told her not to lose courage.
Claire told us that she had often heard of Seruka on the radio and the importance of going there immediately after a rape. Thanks to OYA!’s awareness-raising activities, she discovered that she wasn’t alone and that there was a place where she could find help.
Awareness-raising is very important. As well as the activities carried out in the Seruka Centre, we broadcast announcements on the radio, which allow us to reach not only Bujumbura town, but also the rest of the country. In Bujumbura and the surrounding areas, awareness-raising groups are working in their local neighbourhood level, and we work with theatre groups and have written songs to help spread the word.
Each week the staff in charge of awareness-raising visit different neighbourhoods to oversee these various activities and train people so they may join the awareness-raising team. Carrying out these activities pays off: today, about 60 percent of all people arriving at the Seruka Centre have already heard about it.
Claire, just like everybody else coming to the centre, is offered all the medical and psychological aid at our disposal. Within the walls of our centre, a journey begins – one that allows people to come out of the shadows, to continue living, to rebuild their lives and to protect themselves.
Colombia
A 15-year-old girl tells about the stigma of being raped and having an abortion. To read this account, click here.
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To watch a short video from the Seruka Centre in which several victims of sexual violence tell their story, click here.
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To watch a short video containing interviews with victims of sexual violence in Burundi, Colombia and Liberia, as well as with MSF staff who provide medical and pychological support to victims of such violence, click here.
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To download the full report, Shattered lives: Immediate medical care vital for sexual violence victims, click here.
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To learn more about sexual violence, click here.
Spread the word
Sexual violence affects millions across the globe, shattering the lives of women, men and children. Help increase the awareness of the problem by sharing the information on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or another favourite social network.
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On June 19, 2009 MSF handed over management of the Seruka Centre for sexual violence, in the town of Bujumbura, to the ‘Seruka Initiative for Victims of Rape,’ known locally as ‘Initiative Seruka pour les victimes de viol,’ or ISV. ISV was created in 2008 by Burundian MSF staff. Each month, the Seruka Centre offers medical and psychological treatment to approximately 130 rape victims.
* The patient’s name has been changed.