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My name is Lerato* and I am 16. I have been struggling since I was only 11 years, when my mother suddenly passed away from an illness. I stayed behind with a man, a man that I thought was my father because he stayed with me and my mother. I though he would take care of me when my mother passed away.
This man I thought was my father and someone who loved me as his daughter quickly turned into someone I feared and someone who truly hurt me. He abused me emotionally and he raped me. He came into my bedroom at night when I was asleep and he would go into my blankets. When I said “No Dad!” to him he would say:
“Stop saying dad to me I am not your father I can do anything I want with you.”
He used to rape me every night.
I couldn’t do anything at school and when my teachers asked me what was wrong I would tell them that I was injured at home or I was just tired. I was afraid to tell because he promised to kill me if I told anybody.
Yet one day came and I got help from my teacher at school and she noticed that something was wrong. I told her everything.
He was arrested and he got a long sentence.
I was given counselling but I will never forget this man I thought was my father, the man I thought would help educate me.
Because of my experience I am not educated but I do know enough to tell others not be afraid to tell someone when something like this happens. If you are being abused it is so important to tell someone you know what is happening. Do not wait until it is too late. It is very painful to sleep with someone who is forcing you to have sex with them forceful.
Do not sit and do nothing; stand up with your feet and say no!
*Not her real name
This “I” Story is part of a special series on the 16 Days of Activism for the Gender Links Opinion and Commentary Service that offers fresh views on everyday news. For more information on the 16 Days Campaign go to www.genderlinks.org.za
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