READERS  SPEAKOUT
A boyfriends plea 29th March 2007

Dear sir/Madam

My Girlfriend was raped last week by somebody who is well known in the Family. For the whole week she manage to keep this secret to herself, on Saterday she told me.And ask/begged me to keep quiet about this. But she is hating herself inside. Please tell me how to help this person. I went to her mother but it seems like she is also unable to talk with her. Bcoz the Police say she is the one that should open case. And she does not want to talk about this at all.
Please help me...

SpeakOut!

What we are worried about is that she has not gone to get the medicine to prevent her getting HIV.
It is too late to do that now. But it is very important that in 6 weeks time she goes for an HIV test because the rapist/s may have given her HIV. It is very important that you and her only have sex with condoms for the next 6 months and during that time she must go back for an HIV test in 3 months time and again in 6 months time to make sure this person has not infected her. You need to protect your body too.
Did you tell her mother who the rapist is? The mother or her father must talk to this man and the family must take action against him because he will rape other people if he thinks he can get away with it.
Phone the Stop Women Abuse Helpline 080 015 0150 - it is a free call if you phone from a landline. They will give you the names of people in your area that you can take your girlfriend to for counselling. If she does not want to go, then please, we suggest you go, you need help too, this is a very difficult situation for you.
Do not force her to do anything, she is very confused and sad at the moment. Be loving and kind, but don't try and force her.
Good luck.