British teen tourist: I was raped in Kasane
Mpho Mokwape | Thursday June 30, 2016 12:22
Regrettably the amazing trip ended as her worst nightmare and the total opposite of her expectations. Now at 24 the young woman has gained courage to share her alleged rape ordeal.
According to the woman (name known to this publication) she first opened up to her parents about the rape in October 2013. Fourteen months later after her revelations, together with her parents they retraced their steps back to the country to lodge a complaint on January 2015. Yesterday the family had a one-on-one with Mmegi as they uncovered and shared what transpired on that fateful day.
“I first came to Botswana eight years ago, two weeks after my 15th birthday. I arrived with my family for a safari holiday. It was the most exciting trip I had ever made and I couldn’t wait to see the wonderful wildlife that lives here,” she began as she opened up.
The British woman explained that in 2007 she was sexually assaulted by a tour guide tasked with educating the children in one of the camps at the Okavango Delta.
“We stayed at a camp specifically set up to educate children in the Okavango Delta. It was 40 miles from anywhere and we were the only family staying there. We relied completely on the care of the two guides who were charming, friendly, good, fun and very interesting.
“However, during our last night there, the lead tour guide came to my tent in the dark with a gun and sexually assaulted me. He used his position of responsibility as an opportunity to attack me and despite being a child, he saw me as a legitimate target. Whether he had assistance from his partner is hard to say, but I strongly suspect so,” she said.
She opened up about how she was completely traumatised since she had thought of the tour guide as someone who she could trust, but said for the duration of the assault she was terrified and had no idea of how it would end for her and her family. The tour guide had allegedly told her that he could find her again in the United Kingdom and she decided to keep the ordeal a secret for six years through shame, confusion and terror. The woman maintained that following the alleged ordeal her health, education and relationships were destroyed by fear and inability to trust anyone. She never felt safe and constantly expected to see the alleged perpetrator, although things improved with time and help.
“I finally found the confidence and strength to tell my family. They were horrified and with careful support I was able to put things into perspective and understand what happened to me,” she said.
She shared that through education and awareness she was able to learn and understand what had really happened to her. She realised that it was likely the same crime has been committed on others and it was important to report her ordeal because it was the only way she could protect future victims.
“I came to understand that I am only one of the countless children who have their childhood ended in this way. They go from children to weary adults in a few terrifying minutes. The damage is physical and psychological often lasting throughout a lifetime. Many of us dare not speak out and unfortunately some may not be believed when they do,” she said. She emphasised that the man who came to her tent all those years ago knows himself, the police also know him noting that so many other sexual attacks often form a brief moment in the life of the perpetrator, but completely become life changing for the victims.
“He claims not to remember the incident, which destroyed so many years of my life, but for me it was devastating. These people need to understand how destructive sexual assaults are for the victim and how complex the psychological effects can be. I returned to Botswana and told my story to the current CEO of the company group by whom this man was employed in his role to educate children. To my immense relief he reacted with support, kindness and concern. Most importantly he instantly believed me, something I thought nobody would do. My attacker was immediately removed from his position and from the company and together we reported the incident to the police,” she said.
The woman who now pledged her support to the ‘I Shall Not Forget’ said she has been lucky in having so much support and that she will be working with the movement to offer support to others in her situation to speak up since not everyone in that position finds the courage to speak out.
“Just one person who believes you is invaluable in terms of healing and with the right support people can move towards recovery, although the trauma never completely disappears. These crimes are hidden in society and by society and that needs to change so that children can grow up without fear,” she said. The family’s lawyer, Thabiso Tafila has commented that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions is yet to determine if prosecution is possible.
He explained that they have given the DPP a chance to access their file, also be availed with a psychologist report and decide if they would prosecute. “We have to give the DPP a chance first but if they decline to prosecute we will consider private prosecution,” he said.