By Ovundah Nyeche

Adaobi is the first and only daughter of Deacon Emeka, her ears were drawn when she was about the go to school. She was told everything there was to tell and told not to join bad friends.

Well bad friends were not part of her routine, she had planned to be so committed in fellowship and she had made a vow not to allow any man not her husband to be the Chairman of her local government.

And so it happened, advances came but she turned them down.

And then it happened, fellowship ended late that night and she decided to take the lonely path home… Something kept telling her to stay back at the fellowship Secretariate or ask for brothers to escort her, but she felt there was no need for this and besides there was nothing to worry about.

Just at the middle of the lonely path, she heard footsteps, she felt the struggle and all she remembers was the struggle and a hot pain as well as bleeding.

She knew she had been raped and cried, but was too ashamed to tell anyone, for one week she kept praying for the heavenly father to uproot what he never planted.

She felt bitter and dejected and told no one about that dark night.

Prisca also was very committed in fellowship and she was beautiful and it was no surprise a lot of people hung around her. She liked Collins who was a Prayo and who liked her too and so it happened, she had gone to visit him one night in his room off campus and as though the darkness wanted to trap her, it started raining seriously and that was how it all started. She went closer, kissed him and like a fire an inferno started.

She told him to stop when his hands hit and grabbed her bosom, but his eyes were red, he would pin her down, unbuckle his trousers and exert himself on her amidst her tears and wails, but the thunderstorm and loud music seemed to drown her voice.

Sandra was not similar, it was a department party, all she could remember was the drink and like a paralyzed game, she could feel the guys take turns, but she could not remember who or remember their faces…

Katie still has nightmares, she remembers how the robbers broke down her door and not only stole her things, but stole her privacy…

Curiously they did nothing and wished this sad event away…

Adaobi is 3 months pregnant and does not know the father of her baby…

Prisca was buried last month, she died of complications from abortion…

Sandra was just discharged from the hospital, she was rushed in with tetanus…

Katie was HIV positive before the rape, she now has Hepatitis B as well.

No one prays for a rape, and by the way, males can also be raped.

But when rape happens…It is important to know there is life after rape and if you are raped you will need medical help immediately or within 72 hours (3 days), also it would be in your best interest to let trusted people know and get the police and lawyers involved.

In Nigeria it is important you visit a Government hospital immediately, here doctors would document your complaints, examine you and give you some medications, and these documentations will be very useful especially when you get the police and lawyers involved.

Here in Port Harcourt the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) /Doctors Without Borders, an International Emergency Medical Organization run a free sexual and gender based violence clinic.

If survivors seek medical care within the first three days, they will benefit from free post exposure prophylaxis for HIV, prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and booster shots for tetanus and Hepatitis B Virus. Including treatment of local wounds if any as well as psychological support.

You can Call 09033555455, 07058890060 or visit the Orogbum Health Centre, Ogbunabali by Garrison Bus Stop, Port Harcourt, Rivers State 24 hours a day, 7 days in a week or Eliozu Primary Health Center which runs from 7am-7pm, 7 days a week.

Disclaimer: The story above is purely a work of fiction.

Any similarity between any character in this story and any one living, dead or in between is definitely a miracle.

Again what do I know?

#HearWord #HearWordseries

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