17 Feb A SAFE SPACE FOR SIMISOLA:
A GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SURVIVOR’S EXPERIENCE
Nowhere was safe for ten-year old Simisola (pseudonym). She did not have a home or parents to keep her safe. Simisola and her brother, Tunji (pseudonym) lost their mother in 2017. Their father took them to stay with a woman from whom he buys alcoholic drinks and absconded. The woman’s two sons aged 30 and 35 respectively repeatedly abused Simisola sexually but there was no one for her to run to.
“I told Grandma (the woman) several times but she did not take me seriously. She has even seen him (her son) doing it to me on different occasions but didn’t do anything about it, “
-Simisola
In addition, there was no one to provide food, care and school fees for them as grandma had limited resources. In May, 2022 Simisola fell really ill and her neighbor, out of concern for her took her to General Hospital Alimosho, a Center for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP) supported health facility.
It was at the health facility that Simisola opened up to the health care workers about both her sexual and physical abuse – she was often given her own urine to drink as a local remedy for a severe and persistent cough. She tested positive to HIV (with CD4 Count of <200) and other infections; tuberculosis, anemia, mumps, oral thrush, pallor, fungal scalp disease and renal disease. She was admitted immediately.
People Awareness on Health Foundation in Nigeria (PAHFIN), a community-based organization supported by CIHP to provide care services to orphans and vulnerable children, paid for her admission, tests and medications. Simisola immediately started taking life-saving HIV medications. She was enrolled into the OVC program with a Case Worker assigned to her. PAHFIN provided her with support in form of nutrient supplements, food, and clothing.
They also immediately reported her case the police at Igando Police Station in Lagos State with investigation commencing immediately. PAHFIN also partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development to secure a safe space for Simisola and her brother. Due to the partnership, the state through the Social Welfare Office at General Hospital Alimosho, gave a two-month waiver for the medical bill incurred by Simisola.
CIHP responds and protects OVC from Violence against Children (VAC). The VAC response includes linkage to emergency clinical care, screening and treatment for HIV and STI, Provision of temporary safe spaces, Post violence trauma counselling for children aged 2-17yrs. Through the PEARL project, CIHP has responded to 3156 children who have experienced rape, assault and other forms of violence in Lagos. This case has strengthened partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development. The police are currently investigating the case, though the perpetrators are still on the run.
“This place is so beautiful and I am so happy and better, I don’t want to leave. I promise to be of good behavior,”
Simisola said in her new home and safe space.
Ministry of Youth and Social Development has promised to will continue to track and ensure her well being till she is legally adopted and in the care of parents who can take proper care of Simisola and offer her a family for stability.
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