Grace was on her way home from her sister's wedding when a family friend offered her a ride on his motorbike. She declined, but he insisted so she reluctantly accepted. He didn’t take her home but drove instead to a local primary school where his friend was waiting. The two men took turns raping her and she blacked out. Security guards caught the men and held them at gunpoint while they called the police. Grace was so badly injured that she was in hospital for over a month. The trial is ongoing and she’s back in school and the rapists are in prison while the legal process drags on. She says she forgives them and doesn’t mind if they are released so long as she can get on with her life. She’s 15 years old.
Self portraits of survivors from child rape from across Nigeria.
Adaoma walks home with her daughter Adaora in rural Ebonyi state. Adaoma keeps her children close ever since Adaora was raped by a neighbor last year. Adaora was helping her mum by bringing in the family goat when she was attacked. They have pressed charges and the case is pending trial but she says it’s been hard living without a sense of security for her family.
Rahama is 13 years old and the mother of a 1 year old boy. She was raped by a neighbor who had powerful friends. She was terrified he would kill her if she told anyone but when her family found out she was pregnant they reported the crime to the police. They were encouraged to settle the case and initially they had no success seeking justice. A pro bono lawyer took on Rahama’s case and finally got the rapist arrested and behind bars. Rahama says she doesn’t like her baby as it reminds her of what happened. She wants to go back to school and become a lawyer.