Sex trafficking is a horrifying and devastating crime that destroys the lives of countless people every day. Sadly, the story of S (anonymous), a 15-year-old girl who was abducted and sexually abused by multiple men, is just one example of the many individuals who suffer from this terrible fate.
The story was posted by Usikimye (“do not be silent” in Kiswahili), an organization working towards ending the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV), and highlights the disturbing reality of what unsuspecting victims endure and suffer in silence.
S arrived in Nairobi’s CBD some minutes past 7 pm. She spotted a guy and approached him to ask where she could board a matatu to her home. The guy responded that he was headed in that direction. He asked her how much she had, and she told him Ksh 500. The guy told her that’s exactly what it would cost her.
Read also: Viola Lagat: An Inspiring Advocate for Women’s Empowerment and Ending GBV
They boarded the guy’s car, and he was on the phone throughout up until they reached Ngara.
She saw this on a green marker and asked him, but he said he was dropping off something. She shouldn’t worry. They alighted, and he asked her to carry up a sack, but she was hesitant. He asked why she was worried.
When they reached upstairs in the house, he grabbed her, slapped her around, tied her hands and put tape around her mouth. She reports that a second perpetrator came in and the sexual abuse began. They did not use any protection.
On the second day they brought her mandazi and tea, and when she refused to drink it was poured on her vagina.
Read also: Rape Culture is the Main Source of GBV
A lady walked into Buibui, and she was happy, she knew help had arrived but the lady drew her blood and injected her. She woke up in a different house being filmed as a strange man was defiling her. She reports, “they also used pipes that looked like a man’s thing that was connected to power.” She reports that in the nine days she was abducted, she was defiled by 5 men.
The worst was when a mzungu (caucasian) came with a big dog. She was held down by four people on all fours, and the dog violated her anally. When they left her alone, she crawled on all fours and found a phone and called for help. They found her and beat her up.
The matter is being investigated and followed by the highest authorities and we hope we shall get the perpetrators arrested.
Read also: ChildFund: Preventing GBV in Children is a Joint Responsibility
She is currently undergoing procedures to remove bottles and the cotton wool that was inserted. She will need several more surgeries as well as she cannot walk properly.
Sex Trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, harbouring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.” It involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to make an adult engage in commercial sex.
One critical step in preventing sex trafficking is educating ourselves about the issue. By learning the warning signs and risks associated with trafficking, we can better identify when someone is in danger and take appropriate action to help them.
Additionally, we must hold those who engage in trafficking accountable for their actions. This involves not only punishing the perpetrators but also addressing the root causes of the problem, such as poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality.
As individuals, we can also take action to support organizations that work to combat trafficking and support victims. By donating our time and resources to these groups, we can make a real difference in the lives of those affected by this terrible crime.
But social responsibility goes beyond just addressing sex trafficking. We must also work to create a society that values and respects all individuals, regardless of their gender, race, or socioeconomic status. This means fighting against discrimination, inequality, and other forms of injustice that contribute to the vulnerability of individuals to trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
S’s story is a tragic reminder of the need for social responsibility in our communities. As individuals and members of society, we must work together to prevent sex trafficking and support those who have been victimized by this terrible crime. Only then can we create a world that is truly just and equitable for all.
