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This article is the third and final installment of a series from Fergal Browne on displacement, sexual violence and other issues facing women in today’s Colombia. The entire series has been reposted here this morning.
“TWO HOODED MEN came out of the bushes in camouflage. In my ignorance I thought they were going to rob me, but that was not the case,” says Melissa Martines (name changed by request) who breaks off.
“I’m sorry if I begin to cry.”
She begins to breath heavily and tears roll down her cheeks.
“One put a gun to my head, held me down, while the guy raped me. Then the other did the same. I was utterly destroyed.”
The attack took place on a country road in the Pacific Coast department of Cauca. She is sure her two attackers were members of guerrilla forces, who controlled the area.
Later, she told her husband what happened.
He insulted me instead of supporting me, verbally abused me, pretty much said I was setting myself up for this to happen. This gave me so much pain to hear. I said nothing more.
She fled the town four days later with her two children after she received a tip-off from one of the wives of the village’s guerrilla leader that she was a suspected paramilitary informant.
They planned on killing her and forcibly recruiting her son into the war. It was the seventh time she had been displaced due to threats in her life and extortion.
She currently lives in Bogotá and hasn’t spoken to her husband since the she left in 2007. Still to this day she wears as many clothes as possible to cover herself up.
Her son, who is now 21 and a policeman, is greatly affected too.
“He is angered and frustrated by all that happened. He remembers his mother as beautiful and elegant, but that due to all the suffering, I’ve wasted away,” she says struggling to speak.
Strategy of war
Martines was the victim of sexual violence considered to be ‘an habitual, extensive, systematic and invisible practise’ committed during Colombia’s internal conflict, according to the Constitutional Court in its Order 092, which stated an explicit link between displacement and sexual violence.
“It is one of those crimes that specifically targets women. We believe that it is a strategy of war,” says Nataly Perez from Sisma Mujer, a feminist organisation.
A survey undertaken as part of a campaign entitled ‘Rape and Other Violence: Leave my Body out of the War’ found 12,809 women were victims of conflict rape, 1,575 women had been forced into prostitution, 4,415 had forced pregnancies and 1,810 had forced abortions between 2000 and 2009 in Colombia.
Rape of young girls
Among the most gruesome cases was the Betoyes massacre in May 2003.
Paramilitaries entered the town killing several and forcing 300 to flee. They then raped four girls aged 11, 12, 15 and 16. The latter had her womb cut open, the fetus ripped out and hacked with a machete.
A 2003 Amnesty International report said the action was ‘fully supported’ by the military.
Paramilitaries were given broad concessions in exchange for demobilisation under the Justice and Peace Law in 2005.
An ABColombia report highlighted that of the 39,546 confessions received, only 0.24% relate to sexual violence. Therefore, the report states ‘the full extent of this crime has not been revealed, nor is it being investigated or the truth made known’.
With regards what few reports there are of military or police personnel involvement in sexual violence, few result in conviction. Of 232 cases which existed between 2004 and 2009, only nine resulted in a sentence.
“Everyone stands with impunity in this country before the law. In 16 years working in psycho-social area, I’ve never once seen a case reach a satisfactory conclusion whether it be for rape, torture, nothing. Not one case,” says Osana Medina who runs Casa Violeta, a house specifically for women and their children who have suffered in extreme cases of displacement.
The woman’s fault – ‘asking for it’
At most only 18% of cases of sexual violence are reported with few resulting in convictions.
“98% of cases of sexual violence are in impunity in the armed conflict. It’s so sad because first they suffer the crime, then the institutions block them, because it’s seen as the woman’s fault, that they provoked it,” says Perez.
ABColombia highlighted in its 2013 report examples of ‘re-victimisation’ with police telling victims who report a sexual crime they were ‘asking for it’ and a lack of attention to health issues, which arise from sexual violence.
This backdrop means few displaced persons actually declare sexual assault as a reason for displacement.
“On our register, we have 9% who stated they are victims of sexual assault, but for sure it’s underreported,’ says Silvana Torres, a coordinator at the Victim’s Unit, the state body which coordinates support for Colombia’s displaced.
It’s because of the stigma attached to it. They just don’t have the confidence to admit it.
Abuse at home
Domestically, women suffering in violent relationships can feel trapped due to little support from the state and lack of financial means to leave. 37% of women in Colombia admitted to being victims of violence from a partner, the figure rises to 48% amongst displaced women.
This led the Constitutional Court to recognise the high vulnerability of displaced women to sexual violence in its Order 092, which said the Government must design a programme for the prevention of sexual violence and integrated attention to survivors.
The current Government under Juan Manuel Santos is generally accepted as having advanced somewhat Colombia’s laws with a Victim’s Law which set out special rights for female victims as well as Law 1257, which regulates against gender violence.
One result is the setting up of Houses of Equality in each borough. Eliana Mejia is a psychologist in one of these houses in the impoverished neighbourhood of San Cristobal in Bogotá, where many displaced live. 90% of her female patients are victims of sexual violence, although not all are displaced victims of Colombia’s war.
“When it comes to reporting, first comes the recognition of their rights, but afterwards the legal part can generate a lot of frustration, because things are slow. Conditions remain insufficient. Only now is the Government beginning to enter into public policy.
“The problem here in Colombia is that when a woman says to her husband, ‘No you can’t rape me or hit me I have rights’, the man reacts by hitting her harder. It’s a way of teaching them to shut up,” says Medina.
Financially, women from poor neighbourhoods are left with a difficult choice. ‘Female victims suffer from constant threats. Things like, ‘I’m going to leave you on the streets, you’ll have nowhere to go, no income. You have no choice but to continue with me’, so many women don’t leave,” says Mejia.
Psychologically, the effects are massive.
Every woman I meet who is a victim of the armed conflict suffers from depression. Suicide is low because of the necessity to take care of their children, but there’s a lot of anxiety, low self-esteem, lots of difficulties with social relations, talking very little.
The effects are not just for the women, but also for children.
“You have kids here who come up to me and say that when they grow up they will stab to death the man who raped their mother. These children are four or five-years old. The suffering of their mothers hits them badly,” says Medina.
Your body is the memory
As a high amount of women she works with are victims of sexual violence, a lot of her work focuses on the ‘reconstruction’ of the woman’s body.
“With sexual violence, your own body becomes a memory of all that happens. Your body then isn’t yours anymore, so we attempt to reconstruct it. It’s a long process which can take between up to eight years.”
Despite the difficulties, there’s been many success stories.
“Yes lots. The women in this house are amazing,” she says. She points to one story of a woman she requests not be named.
She arrived and talked to no one, slept little out of fear people would come for her.
“The last few weeks she’s slept well. The post-traumatic stress has been reduced. It’s been a successful process so far.”
This article was supported by the Simon Cumbers Media Fund. With additional reporting by Katherine Mora. It is the third in a series from Fergal Browne on displacement, sexual violence and other issues facing women in today’s Colombia.
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I wouldn’t believe any word from his mouth.
has there ever been a more successful government. if so please name one
These Fine Gael unionist bloodsuckers haven’t been running the country,they’ve been told what to do since day 1.Recessions end,they’ve done sweet f.a to make me think any different,I’ll give them this though,they’ve been the most consistent liars of any government I can recall,and the money they waste on propaganda could probably solve our homeless crisis.
Hello folks, i hope you are all well. It’s true there is a lot of speculation about the election date. It is certainly fascinating for us political junkies. However the important thing is that we face choices. This FG led government has done a tremendous job turning the economy around after the dire situation we inherited. Do we really want to risk all our great work and superb potential on instability and chaos? SF are a high tax party and FF are still not ready to be forgiven for the way the handled/squandered the boom. You may not like FG or Labour, but is there really a viable alternative that will secure the recovery and build a nation you can be proud of? I don’t believe there is an alternative. I would strongly urge you to vote FG and Labour, together we will continue our good work leading the recovery & pursuing good progressive policies. Thanks people and have a pleasant evening.
Disingenuous from Martin there re Gordon Browne. 2007 was the beginning of the crises and the midpoint of public outcry re-Iraq.. He was never going to beat all that…
It’s not that I don’t want Kenny out, but rubbish like that from Martin only helps his cause.
Hello bacoxy, kind regards to you this evening. Quick question my friend. Do you believe Gerry Adams when he says he was never ever in the IRA? Thank you in advance my friend :)
Hello Dane becareful with your fake accounts you might reply to yourself by mistake like Baz did recently
Dane FG implemented the policies of FF /troika any thoughts?
Hello Dave, kind and warm wishes to you. Just curious about the lies you are referring to. Could you be more specific please?
‘FG will not introduce a recurring charge on the family home’ part of FG’s election manifesto 2011. There’s one Dane/james. ; )
its election time soon FG are worried when Dane the pain and great enda defender makes his social media political broadcasts
Your making a good case for give FF a stroke also norman. i hadnt thought of that until now. FG, Lab, and now FF for me. cheers norman i was hadnt thought of giving FF a vote. Cheers for making such a good case for FF norman.
james if you’re looking to credit the guys responsible for what ye claim is the recovery, it’s only fair you vote for the parties policies ye followed ie FF.
not one mention of a better government in the history of this state. really shows what an excellent job this government has done.
worst Government ecmcer
Fianna Fail drove us to the cliff and pushed us, however while we were still hanging on and there was a hope of salvation for the Irish people, Fine Gael came along promising to help us but they didnt instead they stood on our fingertips and plunged this generation and many to come into decades of gamblers debt. Now while we are slowly climbing that cliff again, Fine Gael are conducting a fire sale of our assets to the vultures circling our beat carcasses. NEVER AGAIN.
James, change yer name like a good man.
I’m sure Denis O’Brien will spring something big for the blue shirts before the next election.
Good evening Garwig, pleasure to talk to you, you are correct to bring up the debt issue and i acknowledge you pointing out the past failures of FF. Did you know, my friend, that the government has saved approximately 10bn euro on the debt thanks to prudent negotiations and the prom note deal. Have a look at this my friend and have a great evening http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/euro10bn-saved-on-national-debt-repayments-322718.html
James, you seem a bit delusional. its all a load of spin
MORE spoofing Dane??
tut tut
The prom note ‘deal’ on the 30 billion owed has not gone any where. It was merely converted to sovereign debt which will now accrue interest over the next 40 years and may well cost us double.
Its no more a deal than if I extended my mortgage by 40 years and then tried to claim I saved money because my monthly repayments have dropped.
Its an accounting sleight of hand, like they tried with Irish Water. Nobodys falling for it.
Yet paid the debts of unsecured bondholders and enslaved future generations to same. No thanks I can’t stomach the betrayal again. I voted for change last time but got more of the same. FG no Thanks my friend have a nice evening yourself.
Brendan Howlin certainly doesn’t want an election until next year, saying that Labour still have work to do….the devils work no doubt.
The list of better governments than this lot was too long. Rather you supply a list of worse governments, if you really think hard you may come up with one
I had to laugh at the last election FG promised the earth,moon and stars even though they had the dam thing won before a vote was cast as it was a case of anybody but FF.All they done was finish off what FF started and changed nothing.
@terry, you are right, the present gov are pretending that they also saw off the troika, remember noonan trying to peddle that one?
all I can say is thank god for the troika, can you imagine what state we would be in if it were not for our german cashiers
I never knew we were slaves Garwig, do please tell… I could do with a laugh
if that passage is too complicated for you get someone to read it for you again. FG enslaved us to a debt that wasn’t ours to pay. Money which could be spent on the vital services they slashed and burned to pay the gambling debts. Never again. I will poison the FG brand to all I know.
Hugh new pic?. are we going to see that on election posters for FG when Edna call the election?
You can talk to a man with a wooden leg,
But you can;t talk to a man with a wooden head.
And with a Blue background I see.
The sooner the better. Enough of these Muppet’s. Self serving fools. Cronyism, corruption, fennelly, NAMA, siteserv, irbc, penalty points, sitting on Moriarty. Iw. Health services that are a shambles.
Do you seriously think they won;t be back in power? Cos that would be nighty delusionary.
imagine all that and the economy still growing at 6.7%, truly amazing work by FG
Sgt they couldn’t even get an overall majority after FF wrecked the country. Your mighty delusionary yourself.
Global Economy doing all the heavy lifting, watch us crash if the global economy’s growth stalls
‘truly amazing work by FG’ not really they just followed the plan as laid out by FF/troika. ; )
Oh look its James connolly again. What’s the chances. Are you sticking with this account for now or will you change to your other accounts soon.
James actually not really as FG claiming that FF couldn’t manage the economy lacks creditability considering they used FF’s policies. : )
littleone ‘james connelly’ is Dane Tyghe. Dane can’t use his own account to snipe and sneer as it would ruin his polite facade.
How long do you think this rate of growth will last. we shall only find out in FGs second term
So lads. I’ll ask again. Who do you think will be in power after the next election?
Alan FG/FF although highly unlikely to last a full term.Too many egos.
Ah norman , that’s 3 he is using then. Saw today he made a blunder, he is also left , left , stop. Bit sad really.
Norman is correct
Wesole is Jason
I had great hopes for Dane as our next taoiseach :)
what other tax cuts do you think FG will announce. exciting times
If FG get back into govt James Connolly then you’d be perfect for the post of minister for defecation.
when they get in ill just sit back and enjoy the prosperity like every other irish citizen
Guys stop feeding James /Dane he’s a total obnoxious troll. FG are finished rotten to the core.
Kenny will be cornered soon enough. The clock is ticking.
Question. Does the longer they stay in power have an impact on their pensions? Or is this solely a tactical move to remain in government?
serving a full term is a sing of a strong cohesive government, 6.7% growth is fact that it is working fantastically well
I wouldn’t agree with your point James, but it’s taken non the less.
those 7000 repossession orders to be heard over the next few weeks many of those people will tell you to shove your 6.7% growth where the sun don’t shine James.
reckless borrowing is tragic alright william
I suppose the good thing about Enda having his head stuck in the sand is that his ass is in the air and he won’t see the kicking coming.
If you were expecting a declaration of clarity from Enda! Hilarious! Clarity – it’s just not in him & his repertoire of clown tricks!
Patience folks. Opportunity for payback will arrive… Fg/Lab will feel the rage of a nation soon. Give away budget will not save these liars.
polls suggest otherwise. FG are so far out in front it cant even be considered a competition anymore. easiest reelection in history
I can’t wait for this budget and the FG budget 2016 should be even better!! Go on Enda ya good thing
Do you think FG will follow the policies of FF if returned to government? seeing as they spent the last 4+ years implementing FF policy.
Enda Kenny is Irelands worst leader of all time. Time for this idiot to go.
that just makes it all the sweeter norman ;)
james it also calls into question the credibility of any attack on FF’s economic policies. : )
@Colm – you have a short memory and no reasonable analysis would support that given that the previous two administrations bankrupted the economy and landed a debt of €40 billion on it’s people which the next two generations will be paying for. I’m curious to hear your counter argument though if you would care to enlighten me?
James it was the present government that turned the promissory note into sovereign debt the night before David Hall challenged it’s legality in the courts.
* the night before David Hall was to challenge it’s legality in the courts.
@Norman so you also agree Kenny is the worst Taoiseach ever?
James where did I offer an opinion on Kenny as Taoiseach other than to state he is the most ‘managed’ one we’ve ever had. I notice however you ignored the contents of my post entirely.
@Norman – I asked Colm to justify his statement. You offered support to him which appeared to suggest you agreed with him so I asked you if you did. The debate wasn’t about one decision so I didn”t see the point in reducing it to that. Since you asked me my opinion on the prom note conversion is that it was the right decision to protect our credit rating and will save us more than it will cost us. Now you answer my question – do you agree with Colm that Kenny is the worst?
‘Now you answer my question’ I did if you took the time to read what I wrote.Btw Noonan confirmed the prom note was illegal.
@Norman I asked you was Kenny the worst? Yes or no would do – where did I miss that? Apologies if I did – or did you fudge it?
I hated the way that he messed about the abuse victim Louise O’Keefe and then used Maria Cahill to throw political points at Sinn Fein ..
I hate his accent – keep it going lads and we will convince ourselves he was the worst leader in the world EVER
Very shallow of you,James!
Sorry WNM that’s the way I roll
James I’ve offered no opinion on him for the simple fact I think he is the most ‘managed ‘ Taoiseach we have. He’s not his own man, so tbh I can’t give you am opinion on him.He’s a puppet.
Seems like it!
What did you think of the way that Enda treated Louise O’Keefe ?
You did offer an opinion on him Norman but I guess you couldn’t agree with the ridiculous notion that he is worst Taoiseach ever.
Cant wait for him to tear Gerry Adams and Michael Martin apart in a live leaders debate hosted by Vincent Browne. Oh wait silly me Enda doesn’t do live debates SPINELESS COWARD.
Any so called leader that refuses to speak to media, engage with journalists and basically hides from the electorate is not suited to the position of Taoiseach at all. Even if one was a FG supporter they have to see fault with what’s going on. It’s not right. And now Varadker has been told to shut up.
So the only person allowed to talk for FG is Mr Noonan. And even at that it’s sound bites, useless really. The only other people allowed to talk are Labour, and they should save their breath- gone gone gone.
So back to the leader comment- if you can’t stand in front of the populace you reckon you represent- don’t. Stand down. ( oh and the population includes all the hard done by, the sick, the elderly, the incapacitated, the homeless and all those middle class people -below you- that are sucking up ALL the bills for you).
@WNM – The state legal team advises on strategy to defend legal claims against the state not the Taoiseach. I disagree with the ECHR decision as do many other European countries who believe in separate liability.
James if referring to Kenny as a ‘puppet’ is an opinion so be it.
Hugh? Is that you? Background colour matches your shirt.
Roll on GE2015!
Banking inquiry just a Mea Culpa whitewash…
Moriarity
Fennelly
Just milestones on the degradation of Irish Democracy…
Don’t be so hard on poor Enda, the minute his German puppet masters give him a date for the GE he will let us know.
Saying that Enda is unlikely to call an election early because it wil collapse the inquiry at a cost of €5million is a weak argument. The IW debacle alone is proof enough that €5 million is chump change to him and his acolytes.
you have 1 vote…use it wisely…..forget about 2,3,4…it’s all marketing!
One of the only real powers, unilateral powers a Taoiseach has, is to name the date of an election. Something tells me Kenny can’t even do that right. And who is Kenny’s “spokesperson” mentioned in the article? I’d like to know who they are to say they seem to know more about when the citizens of this country will have their say, than the citizens themselves.
Kenny is the most ‘managed’ Taoiseach this country has ever had.He may be Taoiseach but someone else is in the driving seat.
well whoever that person is they deserve great credit as the economy is booming
james it was Brian Lenihen that put the plan in place that FG are trying to take credit for.No creditability attacking FF when it was their policies followed. #creditwhereitsdue
Lenehan was forced to adopt FG principals to save the economy his party crashed.
Of course FG would continue with their own policies.
OTV so now you’re rewriting history, although you managed to go from professional DJ to IT specialist in a week, why am I not surprised. The delusion is strong with this one. ; )
i look forward to years of hearing about it during FG second term
I hope the pr**k is watching prime time tonight. He is an absolute disgrace to the office.
Hugh absolutely worships Enda. .what will you do when he’s gone jump into bed with someone else
Enda Kenny 3/10 with bookies to be next Taoiseach. Leftie Loons can whinge and moan and throw whatever vitriol the way of people who don’t agree with them but they will sooner or later have to face up to the reality and fact that Enda Kenny will still be Taoiseach this time next year.
Would that be the same bookies that paid out early on Greece voting yes or the same bookies that got it wrong on the seanad.
So who will be in power after the next election?
Come on little one, who is your money going on? Put your neck on the line
Enda’s reelection in Mayo is looking dodgy considering developments over the weekend. : )
Nah, I don’t gamble my money. To be honest its none of your business who I will vote for. But let’s say it won’t be FF for obvious reasons. It won’t be FG or LABOUR. Because these three are the same, self serving lying . these three have been in government between them since the foundation of the state and have wrecked the country financially and social.
would you trust a bookie seamus?
I’d like to think Alan that people have seen through the lies and the corruption and will vote with their heads. There are plenty of alternatives to choose from, the mentality of ‘sure there’s no one else’ is utter rubbish.
I’m not asking you who you will vote for, I’m asking you who you think the next Taoiseach will be. I’m asking your opinion not for you to gamble your money.
It’s not a question of trusting a bookie. 3/10 are good odds, offered by all the big bookmaking firms. Those odds suggest that Kenny is a VERY strong favourite to be returned to power.
I didn’t ask who anyone would vote for. I asked who people believe will form the next givernment/
or government even
He has to win a seat yet in Mayo. Some would say his odds on that are not great. After all he did have to hire a pr man on taxpayers money in Mayo.Taoiseach Enda Kenny splashed out more than €50,000 of taxpayer’s money on a new personal assistant to boost his local profile as fears grow about his support plummeting in Mayo
Renua. I saw herself on Vincit Browne last night. What a gruesome taoiseach she’d make.
Littleone there is speculation that ‘Ming’ may run in Mayo.
Wake up little one, stop seeing what you want to see, hearing what you want to hear! Kenny WILL be re-elected in mayo and WILL be next Taoiseach.
That’s not because I want him as next Taoiseach, or that I’ll even be voting for his party in next election. It’s because it’s what the people will vote for. Like it or not they will be returned to power. I won’t say I told you so when it happens, I’ll let you come to terms with it yourself!!!
Séamus nothing is guaranteed at election time. ; )
@ Seamus O’ Tiomain. Do we have to stop our mindless speculation immediately or can we just see out the evening?
@ Seamus. Irish Water is a spanner in the works and is an entirely precarious position. When the time comes… I will tell you so.
Bit sad Seamus that you have to rely on the bookies for your hopes…
bookies get it right more often than not, hence the reason hey do so well. 3/10. that really has got to hurt the shinners :D
FG/Renua & Social Democrats would make a great government in 2016.
SF/FF keep asking the same question, Kenny keeps giving the same answer.
It must be like dealing with the kids in the back of the car “are we there yet? are we there yet? are we there yet?”
have your say