On the fatal day of 20th June 2022, on her way home from school, 4-year-old Solida (Not-real-name) was raped by a 32-year-old man who was a member of her community.
She cried out for help and was rescued by her older sister, who brought additional adult assistance from other members of the community. One of the female community members was the little girl’s mother. Together, they reported the incident to the Local Council Chairperson, who advised them to seek help from the Totya Platform’s Hotline.
The perpetrator was apprehended by the community and brought to the attention of the LC Chairperson and later the police. With the support of Totya Platform, the perpetrator was placed in custody for further investigation and HIV examinations.
What was done;
- The hotline counsellors advised the victim’s family to immediately report the case to the police.
- Medical examinations were conducted within 72 hours of the incident to test both Solida and the perpetrator for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Both Solida and her attacker tested negative for HIV, eliminating the need for PrEP therapy.
- Solida received treatment for the physical injuries she sustained as a result of the abuse.
- Solida and her entire family are still receiving counselling from a Totya Platform counsellor, both in-person and online.
- Given the nature of the offence, Solida’s attacker was remanded to prison without bail and is currently awaiting trial. Totya Platform continues to follow up on the case and provide the family with updates in pursuit of justice.
There is hope for Solida as she receives the necessary treatment and support from our teams. With this assistance, she can overcome the trauma she has experienced and embark on a path towards a healthy adult life.
Furthermore, as a result of the traumatic incident involving Solida, the administration of the kindergarten she attended has taken heed of the advice provided by Totya Platform. As a precautionary measure to protect the children from potential predators, they have arranged for a staff member to accompany the pupils on their way home.