Survivors receiving desperately needed counselling

“We are literally overwhelmed with all the demand for psycho-social support from victims of sexual violence,” declared Severin Masirika, coordinator of CAMPS, an organisation with whom World Vision partners that provide support to surviviors of sexual violence.

Eastern DRC is known as the rape capital of the world. In fact, two out of every five women have suffered from sexual violence and horrifically, the majority of them (65 per cent) experienced it as children.

200 victims of sexual violence are still waiting to receive appropriate psycho-social support.

The needs are particularly urgent in Minova, a city in the South Kivu province who has registered a high increase in sexual violence cases in the past year. At CAMPS, over 200 victims of sexual violence are still waiting to receive appropriate psycho-social support. “Since I was raped back in November of 2012, I have had some behavioural issues so I am really hoping I can soon get psychological support so that I can be strong for my children,” said one of the women waiting for support.

“We can only support 80 women right now,” said Celine Shamavu, WV gender and protection coordinator. “We have the right structure, but not enough funds to support the demand. We would need to hire staff and to have proper facilities in the region to provide psycho-social support to victims.”

At CAMPS, Chanceline received medical support and pysycho-social counselling. Photo by Gilbertine Julie Uwimana

CAMPS works in partnership with World Vision and operates in both provinces of North and South Kivu. Since 2006, the organisation offers psycho-social services, medical and legal assistance and socio-economic reinsertion. A lot of prevention and awareness-raising is conducted amongst communities on the consequences of sexual violence, but also on the negative effects of stigmatization and rejection of victims.

The vast majority of the women who receive help from CAMPS overcome their suffering and can start “living” again.

A successful program

A few years ago, Angelani Idolwa Collette was captured with her daughter by the Mai Mai, a rebel group. They both served as sex-slaves for six months. Destroyed and traumatized, she ended up at CAMPS. Slowly, but surely, she recovered from her wounds through many psycho-social therapies and medical assistance.

“Thanks to World Vision and CAMPS, I no longer think of committing suicide, but instead, I enjoy my life and what I do” said Angelani.

Angelani is now sitting on the other side of the table. She is the one helping other victims at CAMPS, offering counseling and psychosocial support.

“Angelani is one of many success stories we hear,” declared Mrs Shamavu. “While we rejoice for these women, we can’t help but to think of the thousands of women that we can’t reach”.