Raped and HIV positive

May 15, 2017 News

– a 14-yr-old girl’s tragic story

(The names in this article were changed to protect the child’s identity)

“Martha” is a single mother. She works as many jobs possible to ensure that her six children are fed, clothed and have a roof over their heads.
This means that she does not always find the time to listen to, and look over her children as much as she would’ve liked. The support of her sister living next door is therefore very crucial in this regard.
But Martha’s relationship with her sister has since soured. The sister, “Judy”, does not believe that her husband would sexually abuse her 14-year-old niece, “Lynn”.
The teen has related to authorities, that her uncle has been raping her repeatedly for the past three years.
According to ChildLink, a non-profit organization that has been partnering with government to tackle child abuse, Lynn’s first sexual encounter occurred in a bathroom.
It was related that one afternoon, the then 11 year old Lynn, went to her ‘Aunt Judy’s’ yard to “fetch some water.” As she was getting the water, the child was approached by her aunt’s husband “Jarvis,” who began to force himself on her.
According to ChildLink officials, the man allegedly “carried her in an old bathroom and told her to bend over.” Lynn told authorities that she screamed, but was threatened and told to “shut up.”
But it would appear as though the actual penetration was just the more brutal aspect of the abuse which began years before.
It was related that Martha’s children used to visit her sister’s home regularly to get water, and that the uncle, “Jarvis” used to always “play with them.”
“He used to touch her but she didn’t know that was wrong. Jarvis took the opportunity and when Lynn was alone he threatened her. He said that if she said anything that he would kill her,” Martha told officials.
It was after the bathroom incident that the child’s mother said she noticed a significant change in her child’s behaviour.
Lynn, who used to be very jovial, began lashing out. Martha, at that time, attributed the behaviour to the “normal” teenage drama.
“Sometimes she would open her mouth and make a set of noise. She became aggressive, so I used to want to know why she behaving like that and the rest don’t behave like that.”
Martha began to worry after she realised that Lynn would not only talk to herself, but she would also cry almost every day.
Eventually, the teen could no longer put up with the abuse, and confided in her mother.
“I got a call from my eldest daughter around 7:30 (PM). She said Lynn went at the back house for water since one o’clock and she didn’t come back. I went straight home, Lynn was sitting by herself and I ask her what happen and she told me.”
A police report was immediately filed, and “Jarvis” was arrested and charged. According to ChildLink however, he was later released on bail.
“Martha stated that after her brother in law was released, he and her sister would curse her and her children. After one of those altercations, Jarvis was arrested a second time and later released,” the organisation noted.
The matter is said to still be under investigation, but ChildLink officials are appalled that much time has elapsed and “Jarvis” remains at large.
Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene, said that she already has plans to check on the status of the case, today.
Strangely enough though, after his second release, Martha told authorities that her sister and brother-in-law no longer express any animosity to her family.
However, during the police investigation, the medical examination carried out on Lynn revealed that she was HIV positive.
“It was very hard for me to understand and cope with the situation. But then going to the (Georgetown Public) Hospital, it got some very nice doctors, and we would sit and we would talk… They counselled Lynn and provided some hope that it is not the end of the world,” Martha related to ChildLink officials.
Both the mother and daughter have been receiving counselling from social workers attached to ChildLink.
Martha admits that she now makes it her duty to spend more time with her children.
“Sometimes you come home from work; as a single parent you have so many things to do. You have to cook, you have to clean, plus you have children to look after children. It used to be frustrating…it used to tell on your nerves,”
Martha still carries that guilt that had she paid more attention to Lynn, the child would’ve trusted her with the truth much sooner.
“She was trying to tell me but I wasn’t listening. I wasn’t paying attention. She did come to me one time and say, “Mommy, I want talk to you.” But it was something I was doing or somebody had come so she said, “Mommy, I will talk to you later because you talking.” But she never come back.”
Martha admitted that often times, “A lot of parents are aware of certain things and they shame to bring it out to the public. But, they need to come out and expose the person who did it so that a next child wouldn’t be a victim… We need to expose them (the abusers)!”
Although being a single parent is quite difficult, Martha is urging parents to spend at least five minutes each day, talking with their children.
ChildLink is a non-profit organization and a member of the Child Rights Alliance which aims to protect children from abuse and violence. To report cases of abuse call 231 7174 or 227 0979. Email ChildLink: [email protected] for further information on the Child Rights Alliance.