Child Sexual Assault in Rwanda: the Plight of Adolescent Girls

1. Child Sexual Assault in Rwanda: the Plight of Adolescent Girls Presented by Brigitte Mukashema International Justice Mission, Rwanda National Conference on Violence Against Children – Kigali – 3-4 October 2011

2. Project for Child Sexual Assault

3. The Work of IJM in Rwanda Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Project Goal: “To protect children in Kigali City from violent forces of injustice by securing rescue and restoration for CSA victims and ensuring that perpetrators of CSA are held accountable under the law of Rwanda.”

4. Sexual Abuse Definition • The use of power, manipulation and control to force another person to be involved in sexual activities. • Includes vaginal, oral, or anal penetration. • Trapping, forcing, deceiving, or coercing an individual into sexually stimulating activities that benefit the perpetrator (e.g., unwanted touching, pornographic movies, kissing, etc)

5. Who is Vulnerable to Sexual Abuse? • Both boys and girls • Those without adults available to protect them (e.g. Street children, orphans, adopted) • Those with family stress (with single parents, from other marriages, prostitutes or those in prisons) • Disabled or persons with special needs • Neglected children • Those in poverty • Anyone

6. The CSA Problem in Rwanda • One statistic can tell the story of whether CSA is an issue to be addressed in Rwanda: In 2010, the Isange One Stop Centre treated 531 children who had been sexually assaulted. That is nearly 1½ per day!

7. Why Adolescent Girls are the Main Victims of Sexual Violence? • Power and control of the perpetrator • These girls are viewed as “grasshoppers” that are developing physically and need an older man to “teach” them about sex. • Virginity: “sexually sweet” • Young women are more easily accessible • Poverty: young women believing that the Sugar Daddies will alleviate their economic situation

8. Reasons Perpetrators Abuse: • Desire for power • Mental health difficulties • Past trauma • Drug or alcohol abuse • Ignorance • Seeking satisfaction • A weapon of war • Seeking vengeance or revenge • Curiosity

9. Who are the Perpetrators/Abusers? • Family members: father/mother, cousins, older siblings uncles. • Care givers: house girl/boy, guardian,… • Community: neighbors/visitors • Persons in position of authority: teachers, doctors, priest/pastor,… • Strangers: drivers, businessmen near schools,… • IJM case work has indicated that perpetrators are almost always a person that the child and family knows. It is not a stranger.

10. Who are the Perpetrators/Abusers? • In Rwanda CSA cases: • 48% of the perpetrators are a neighbor of the victim • 7.1% of the perpetrators are victim’s teacher • 13.5% of the perpetrators are a member of the victim’s family. (International Bureau for Children’s Rights)

11. How do Abusers Operate? • Groom the victim over a period of time • Use power to intimidate thegirl • Use a culture of secrecy • Control • Bribery • Create dependency • Psychological manipulation • Manipulate situations to lure young girls in • Use opportunity (e.g. lunch dates, parties)

12. Consequences for Victims – Short Term Psychological and Social: • Poor attachment and social relationships • Heightened anxiety • Sensitivity to certain stimuli, especially smells and sounds that are reminders of the abuse • Hyper-vigilance • Attempts to run away • Poor attention and performance in school

13. Consequences for Victims – Long Term Psychological & Behavioural: • Poor attachment and social relationships • Depression or anxiety disorders • Drug or alcohol abuse • Trauma/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Aggression or violence towards others • Risky sexual behaviours and promiscuity • HIV/Aids, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy

14. IJM Treatment Model • Needs Assessment with Clients • Development of client safety plans • Development of individual treatment plans • Provide support to family throughout legal process • Medical assistance • Counselling: TF-CBT for victims • Economic rehabilitation • Working with partners to provide other assistance needed which IJM can not provide

15. Challenges & Responses CHALLENGE: Religious organizations & community leaders often encourage believers not to report and to settle matters privately RESPONSE: Break cycle of silence on CSA; systematically train and sensitize communities on CSA and parenting; reinforce system of reporting.

16. Challenges & Responses CHALLENGE: Improper & insensitive techniques of interviewing victims of CSA RESPONSE: Forensic Interviewing training; child sensitive interviewing; children must be heard in legal proceedings. CHALLENGE: Lack of follow-up with victims and their communities RESPONSE: Facilitate reintegration of victims into families and communities through sensitization.

17. Challenges & Responses CHALLENGE: Cultural norms: • Sexual violence is a private matter • Stigmatization • Underreporting RESPONSE: Gender Based Violence Training CHALLENGE: Lack of safe placement for protection and healing of victims RESPONSE: Create temporary safe home for victims of sexual abuse and empowering those existing facilities

18. How to Help 7 important steps: • Learn the facts and understand the risks • Minimize opportunity • Talk about it • Stay alert • Make a plan • Act on suspicions • Get involved.

19. Case Study - Amelie • A Client’s Story: • Beneficiary of IJM’s Intervention • Raped at 15 years of age and gave birth to a baby girl

20. Case Study - Amelie

21. THANK YOU, MERCI, MURAKOZE!