October 11, 2024

Haguruka was my rock in my darkest time.

One day in 2021, while walking to the market, I was approached by a man who offered me a lift. Despite my initial hesitation, he persisted, and I eventually got into his car. Little did I know that this decision would put me in grave danger.

As we approached the exit, he sped up, and his expression changed. We eventually entered his home, where he tried to make me drink alcohol, but I pretended to be interested in a Fanta instead.

With my heart racing, I managed to go to the bathroom and call my sister for help. When he found me crying, I told him that my aunt had passed away, just to get out of the situation.

After that, he told me that he wanted sex, and he told me to get off quickly. In that room, there was a machete, and he picked it up. I immediately thought that I could die there. I asked him what the machete was for, and he told me it was for chasing away thieves. He then got angry and told me to get off quickly, and I got off because of fear that he would kill me. After a few seconds, he began to rape me, and I immediately started bleeding. He became nervous and anxious, and he told me to take a shower, but I didn’t do it to keep evidence. I took the opportunity to send a text to my sister and call her.

He gave me a lift back, and I waited for my sister and local leaders near the petrol station. We went to the Isange One Stop Center, and they tested me, finding evidence of the rape. The Forensic Laboratory results also confirmed that the spermatozoa found in my vagina were from the perpetrator. On December 29, 2021, the RIB arrived and took the machete, sheets, and other items. The perpetrator was immediately arrested and jailed. The investigation continued, and the perpetrator was arrested that night.

Haguruka took up my case and provided free legal support until the end of the trial, where the High Court sentenced him to (6) six years in prison and a fine of FRW 1,000,000 on September 19, 2023. Although I think six years isn’t long enough for a perpetrator, I thank Haguruka for defending me legally. They were my rock, my guiding light in the darkest times.

This experience hasn’t defined me. Instead, it has empowered me to become a voice for change. I want to become a journalist and advocate for girls to help them avoid similar situations and to support  GBV Survivors.

NB: We hid identities and images to protect her privacy