“I live with my parents in Uvira, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. I help them in the fields and at home. One day, when I went to get water in the neighborhood, I was sexually abused by a member of my family. I told my parents everything when I got home, and the culprit was arrested.”

Ima (not her real name) went to the Kabimba health center, supported by Doctors of the World, in order to receive medical and psychosocial care. She received a treatment kit to protect herself frompossible sexually transmitted infections. She also spoke with Floribert, one of the psychosocial assistants from DotW. 

“I was lost, he helped me to find myself. Thanks to group therapy sessions, I was able to meet other survivors of sexual violence, to share what had happened to me.”

The perpetrator of the sexual violence was released and returned to the village.

“I still see him sometimes in the village. Every time I see him, I feel bad, and I am ashamed. It eats away at me. I had never been with a man before, and this horrible incident stillcontinues to haunt me.”

Ima has also received a small amount of financial support from DotW to start a business, where she sells products in the market and on the street. She does not give up and continues to move forward.