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.
To be concluded
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