BBC: At least 133 women in Tigray fell victims to rape and sexual violence over a 3 Month Period
June 4, 2020 , 4 ሰነ 2020
From January 2020 to April of 2020, at least 133 girls and 2 young boys became victims of rape and sexual violence in the Tigray region.
Mrs Letay Tesfaye, a Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Tigray Women's Association, told BBC that there is a significant increase in the number of rape incidents and other types of sexual assault against Tigray women.
"Especially the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent announcement of lockdown, had led to a spike in sexual violence against both males and females in Tigray," she said.
"The youngest rape victim this week is a 3 year old baby, and the oldest reported is 25."
"And male victims of rape are boys between the ages of 12 and 13."
"Similarly, last year in 2019, over 560 female victims of rape sought treatment at local Hospitals in Tigray, and the age of the victims varies from an 8 months old baby, to a 90 year old grandmother," said Mrs Letay Tesfay.
Mrs Letay Tesfaye, a Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Tigray Women's Association
Sexual predators still live in the same household as victims
The sexual predators are not strangers to their victims. In most of the reported rape cases in Tigray the perpetrators are the fathers, siblings, uncles, relatives and neighbors of the victims —making it almost impossible for the victims to escape the sexual assaults.
"If we look at this week's rape incident reports, for example, a 4 year old child was raped by a neighbor. And a report provided by the Hospital treating the victim shows that, rape against Tigray children has intensified since the coronavirus outbreak," said Mrs Letay Tesfaye.
She admitted, "the spike in sexual violence in Tigray exposes the failure of the strategies we put in place to help the communities prevent sexual violence."
"There are many signs that show our awareness/prevention programs are not working as intended, and unless the process includes steps essential for identifying the root causes of sexual violence in Tigray, our efforts are doomed to failure," Mrs Letay Tesfaye added.
The Aider referral Hospital is providing services to rape victims from different parts of Tigray.
To reduce the distance rape victims have to travel seeking treatment, the Tigray Women's Association, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has opened a new centralized health care facility accessible to all rape victims in remote rural areas of Tigray.
"The new treatment center is staffed with specialists who interview rape victims to gather evidence, provide them with necessary medical care, and encourage them to press charges against the perpetrators, " said Mrs Letay Tesfaye.
In addition, there's another facility in Mekelle that is providing counseling services to help heal the psychological trauma experienced by the rape victims.
Rape victims coming from different parts of Tigray for forensic exam at the referral Hospital are unfortunately required to cover their travel, lodging and food expenses out of their own pocket. And it may take up to 3 days to produce a report based on the results of their forensic medical examination.
EFOYTA - Rape Crisis Center
Mrs Selamawit Kitaw is the director of EFOYTA Rape Crisis Center that is helping victims of rape and sexual violence in Tigray.
Since its establishment in 2011, the EFOYTA Rape Crisis Center has provided treatment to Tigray rape victims, some as young as 2 and half year old babies, and others as old as 72 year old grandmothers.
"Currently, we are providing treatment to 34 rape victims, and 4 among them are children. The youngest victim is 4 and half years old, and the oldest 35 years of age. And about a month ago, we provided treatment to a 72 year old grandmother victim of rape," said Mrs Selamawit Kitaw.
"Only 3 of our patients are victims of violent assault. The majority of them are victims of rape perpetrated by their own family members, neighbors, teachers, step fathers, own fathers, own brothers, and in few cases, complete strangers," added Mrs Selamawit Kitaw.
"86 percent of the rape victims under our care are children under the age of 18, and most of them are between the ages of 4 and 11."
"The center is also providing treatment to victims that became pregnant as a result of rape, and those who contracted the HIV AIDS virus from the perpetrators."
"Due to shortage of funds, the center gives priority to victims raped by their own family members", said Mrs Selamawit Kitaw.
"Rape victims unable to care for their babies are transferred to several charity organizations, such as Freminatos, Lola, and SOS", she added.
The EFOYTA center, in addition to ensuring the victims' confidentiality, it provides legal advice, counseling, self-care guidance, and Taekwondo self-defense courses.
The center also provides support to rape victims during the difficult times in their trauma healing journey to get back to normal life.
Mrs Selamait Kitaw emphasized that, "helping rape victims through their recovery process presents a daunting challenge," however, she said "What I find most rewarding in my position is getting to see my patients smile and laugh as their confidence level improves. This makes my job both challenging and rewarding."
"Our female patients get shocked to see male victims of rape coming to the center seeking treatment. However, this helps them to understand that, boys and men also fall victims to sexual violence at the hands of male sexual predators."
Source: https://www.bbc.com/tigrinya/news-52916757
BBC: 4 ሰነ 2020 -- 'ትግራይ፡ ኣብ ሰለስተ ወርሒ፡ ልዕሊ 133 ደቂ ኣንስትዮ ጾታዊ ዓመጽ ተፈጺሙወን'
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