How WARIF Is Helping Ogenekaro Heal and Survive After Being Assaulted By Her Uncle

Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence are shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgment or stigmatisation and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society.

The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organisation set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence, and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach that covers health, education, and community service initiatives.

This week, we’re featuring Ogenekaro’s story, a sexual assault survivor.

My name is Ogenekaro, and I am a 20-year-old woman.

I lost both of my parents at a very young age and was raised by my late father’s elder brother, my uncle, and his wife. They loved and cared for me as though I were their own daughter. I have always called them “Dad” and “Mom.”

After I was unable to pass all my WAEC subjects on my first attempt, my guardians enrolled me in a secondary school so I could rewrite my examinations. The school’s director, whom I will call Mr Ade, was a close family friend. Because of the trust my family placed in him, I never imagined he would become the person who would betray that trust most devastatingly.

Since I lived far from the school, I stayed with my aunt, who lived much closer. A few weeks after I resumed, Mr Ade began giving me special attention. Eventually, he asked me to be in a relationship with him, promising that he would help me excel academically if I accepted. I rejected his advances.

Alongside my studies, I ran a small online clothing business. One day, Mr Ade ordered several…