Parents or guardians often accompany rape survivors to the clinics when it is already too late. I once attended to a particular undergraduate who presented with complaints of tiredness, headache and weakness.
Her mother had brought her; and her medical history was more in keeping with pregnancy, as was later confirmed by pregnancy test and pelvic scan.
The girl and the mother confessed that about two months earlier, the young lady had boarded a cab late one evening on her way back from school. The cab driver took the advantage of her being alone late at night to rape her.
The mother wanted the pregnancy to be terminated, but I refused for medical and legal reasons. Why have they kept silent for two months?
A second case is that of a 12-year-old Primary Six girl who was rushed to the medical emergency where I was the casualty officer on duty. The complaint was bleeding in the 12-year- old.
She looked pale; and it turned out that she had earlier been taken to a quack where criminal abortion was done, leaving the young girl with complications. She died within two hours of medical attention in the process of stabilising her vital signs, which included making arrangement for blood transfusion for her.
The mother later admitted that the girl was raped by her teacher, resulting in pregnancy which they had tried to abort. Again, why did the mother keep silent for so long?
A third case happened in the village where a mentally-challenged lady was taken to the traditional doctor. While her treatment by the herbalist lasted, the mother dropped her in the morning at the local treatment centre on her way to the farm and came to pick her by noon.
She was found pregnant after some months of treatment for mental illness. She delivered the baby safely, but the baby was brought to the hospital for treatment with nobody to pay medical fees.
The mother said the victim was raped by the herbalist, threatening to get him arrested. The question is, why has she kept quiet till now?
Guide for victim, family
This article is intended as a general guide for the public, victims, friends, parents and family members of a person who have been sexually assaulted. It is also intended to assist the public in breaking this tradition of silence.
Rape or sexual assault is defined as any sexual act performed by one (or more) person(s) on another without the latter’s consent. It may include the use of threat of force. In some cases, the victim cannot give consent to have sex because he or she is unconscious or otherwise incapacitated.
The public/victims should seek specific guidance about assault situation from a person who is experienced in the care and management of these victims, such as the casualty doctors, family physicians, general practitioners and gynaecologists, among others.
A person may be raped by a stranger, an acquaintance or date, or a family member. After being sexually assaulted, rape survivors may have a lot of questions, including: Why did this happen to me? Could I have prevented this? Will I develop HIV/AIDS or other infections? Will I become pregnant as a result of the assault? Who should I call first? Should I report this to the police? Is this reportable? Isn’t this my fault?
Recommended steps after rape
• Find a safe environment away from the assailant
• Call a close friend or parents/relatives — someone who will offer unconditional support
• Call the police or your health care provider.
• Rape is a medical emergency, Call 767 or 112
• Seek medical care; do not change clothes, bathe, douche, or brush your teeth until evidence is collected.
• Follow up with a health care provider one to two weeks later
• Seek counseling services
It is advisable people seek medical care early. However, medical care can be at any time; but if some time has elapsed since the event, there will be scanty or no evidence for collection.
A health care provider can offer advice on reporting the event, address concerns regarding infection, pregnancy, and safety, and help you to begin to recover.
People who are raped may not be able to say they were raped or seek help. Most will come to complain and get medical help for a different complaint such as headaches, eating problems, body or abdominal pain and sleep problems.
Rape Trauma Syndrome
Many rape survivors will experience Rape Trauma Syndrome, a collection of emotional responses to the extreme stress of the sexual assault and may include anger or hostility, confusion, crying or feeling numb, fear, loss of emotional control, nervousness or inappropriate laughter, not eating or sleeping well, tightly controlled behaviour, withdrawal from family or friends.
They are also prone to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Victims of rape should be encouraged to understand that the act was not their fault. Any fault or blame is solely on the rapist.
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