"It all happened on one night my late sister and I visited my aunt who lived in the same street as us.
That night my aunt and her husband were gone to a party nearby. I decided to go and tell them we’re going to bed. I left my sister in the house and walked to the place which was two houses away.
I felt as if someone was following me but I ignored it and tried to walk quicker – then I felt someone's hands on my face. I screamed and cried but the music in the street was too loud. The person pulled out a gun and pulled me into a nearby house.
When we were inside I saw their faces. They kept telling me that if I told anyone I’ll die. Then they took turns raping me. I’m not sure if it was 30 minutes or an hour later, but someone knocked on the door of the room I was in. I was still crying when I heard my sister ask, “Rose, is that you inside?”
She found me and went to look for help. Five minutes later my sister, aunt and her husband returned but my rapists had already escaped – leaving me there half-naked.
Some neighbours called the police while others went to call my parents. The police arrived a bit later but my rapists where soon found and arrested.
Growing up with this trauma was very painful for me.
At school I hated myself. I’d spend my time with only boys because I felt less of a woman.
At the age of 12 I started smoking and stealing from my teachers and other kids. I didn't care who got hurt. My parents feared for my life but I just didn’t care.
Time passed and before I knew it I was in high school. In 2014, when I was in Grade 9, my behaviour got worse during the half-year exams. My mother got called in for my stealing problem but I denied everything, saying my teachers were accusing me of something I didn't do.
Ironically I would never miss a class unless I was sick because I loved school and I was one of the smartest children. I believed I was going places but one day I messed it all up.
One afternoon I left school bored and decided to go do some house-breaking. I went to this house and broke the window so I could get in. While there I stole a few things like phones and cameras then I left to go visit my friends so I could smoke without knowing the community and the police were looking for me.
On my way home I realised I was a wanted woman and I heard some people in my community wanted to burn me alive but luckily the police came to my rescue. When I got home my parents were begging me to tell them where I kept the stuff so I wouldn’t have to get arrested.
At the age of 14 I was arrested and sent to a place of safety because I was a juvenile so I couldn’t be put in prison. I was given two years in a juvenile prison – my dreams were shattered.
In June 2016 I was released early for good behaviour but I stayed at home because my dream of becoming a lawyer died with me in that prison.
Now I am on the road to recovery. Even though I only have Grade 9 to my name I know I have to make something of myself and take my parents out of poverty.
I lived my life as a victim and allowed the pain to cripple me. My advice to young rape victims is to not live their lives blaming themselves!
You never asked to be taken advantage of, it isn’t your fault. Take back your life."
*Not her real name
This story was submitted to DRUM and was minimally edited.
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