DR CONGO / RAPE

The latest fighting between government forces and the rebel group M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo brought a new wave of brutal sexual assaults on women. UNHCR has set up a temporary clinic to respond to rape cases among the displaced. UNHCR

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:47
• Production Date: 27 December 2012
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES - UNHCR
• Subject Topical: HUMANITARIAN RELIEF; REFUGEES; DISPLACED PERSONS; HUMAN RIGHTS; GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
• Geographic Subject: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
• MAMS Id: U121227a

Description

STORY: DR CONGO / RAPE
TRT: 2.47
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / KISWAHILI / NATS

DATELINE: 6 DECEMBER 2012, MUGUNGA IDP CAMP, GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, crowd of people outside camp
2. Med shot, group of people outside camp
3. Med shot, two children kneeling by empty pot
4. Close up, child eating from empty cup
5. Close up, child on woman's lap
6. Close up, people feet walking
7. Wide shot, people walking around camp
8. Med shot, child eating object
9. Med shot, child on mothers lap
10. Med shot, two children with empty pot
11. Tilt up, Flo (rape victim) approaching
12. Close up, Flo sitting down
13. SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Flo, Rape Victim:
“I was working in our farm. They came intimidating me with their guns. They told me: ‘if you don’t let us rape you, we will kill you.’ And so they forced me down then raped me and then left.”
14. Med shot, Flo walking away
15. Various shots, children
16. Various shots, medical officer examines pregnant woman in clinic
17. SOUNDBITE (French) Maombi Barubeta, Medical Officer, Mugunga Camp:
“To the victims of sexual violence, within 72 hours we give what we call the PEP Kit. For the girls and the women, if there are complications we send them to Keshero hospital.”
18. Wide shot, Elaine (rape victim) doing washing
19. Close up, Elaine’s hands washing clothes
20. SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Elaine, Rape Victim:
“They forced me on the ground then they raped me. They left me in pain. The following morning I went to hospital where I was given medication.”
21. Close up, Elaine’s hands washing clothes
22. Med shot, Elaine walking away
23. Med shot, Flo laying out washing
24. Close up, Flo's feet
25. SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Flo, Rape Victim:
“My friends advised me not to remove the baby and that I should not kill. I realized it was true. Now I have it, I will give birth to the baby whether a boy or a girl. It’s an accident.”
26. Various shots, Flo from the back
27. Med shot, crying baby with mother

Storyline

Endless conflicts have brought unending misery to thousands of displaced people in the Goma region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many are homeless and hungry, tired and sick.

And along with the challenges of surviving, danger is never far afield, particularly for the women.

A few months ago, 17 years old, Flo (identity obscured) was ambushed and repeatedly raped by four armed soldiers.

SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Flo, Rape Victim:
“I was working in our farm. They came intimidating me with their guns. They told me: ‘if you don’t let us rape you, we will kill you.’ And so they forced me down then raped me and then left.”

A few months later Flo found out she was pregnant. She was one of five women who were raped that evening.

The latest fighting between government forces and the rebel group M23 brought a new wave of brutal assaults.

The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR received dozens of reports of rape and attacks against women. This temporary clinic has been set up by UNHCR to respond to the rapes cases against displaced women in Goma.

SOUNDBITE (French) Maombi Barubeta, Medical Officer, Mugunga Camp:
“To the victims of sexual violence, within 72 hours we give what we call the PEP Kit. For the girls and the women, if there are complications we send them to Keshero hospital.”

Twenty-seven year old Elaine (identity obscured) is another victim.

SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Elaine, Rape Victim:
“They forced me on the ground then they raped me. They left me in pain. The following morning I went to hospital where I was given medication.”

Elaine cannot forget what happened to her, as her five-year old boy watched helplessly, screaming.

Flo at least has the support of her family. Her friends encouraged her to keep the baby.

SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Flo, Rape Victim:
“My friends advised me not to remove the baby and that I should not kill. I realized it was true. Now I have it, I will give birth to the baby whether a boy or a girl. It’s an accident.”

And so through the tears of rape, she and many other women find a way to keep going.

Yet the harshness of the reality here still makes it one of the most dangerous places in the world for women.