Amid a surge in violent crime and sexual assaults by gangs in Port-au-Prince, 19-year-old Helene, a rape survivor, defies threats from armed groups to keep her baby. Living in a safe house with other women, she embodies resilience against the backdrop of profound societal instability in Haiti.
Young Survivor Overcomes Gang Violence in Port-au-Prince to Raise Her Child
Young Survivor Overcomes Gang Violence in Port-au-Prince to Raise Her Child
In the escalating conflict in Haiti, a teenage rape survivor defies gang pressure to abort her pregnancy and fiercely raises her baby in a shelter.
In a heart-wrenching story emerging from the violence-ridden streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, 19-year-old Helene recounts her harrowing experience of surviving gang violence and sexual assault. Two years ago, at just 17, she became a victim of gang warfare when armed men attacked her neighborhood, ultimately abducting and holding her captive for over two months. "Every single day, they raped me and beat me," she shares, using a pseudonym to protect her identity.
Despite the trauma and pressure from her captors to have an abortion after falling pregnant, Helene resolutely chose to keep her baby, believing this child could be her only chance at motherhood. Her escape came during a territorial clash between rival gangs. Now, Helene finds a semblance of safety in a shelter designed for young women and girls who have endured similar atrocities.
With an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince now under gang control, the crisis remains dire, with sexual violence escalating dramatically since the assassination of former president Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Reports from the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) indicate that the number of women seeking medical assistance for sexual violence has nearly tripled since the political turmoil began. Survivors, like Helene, navigate these challenges in an environment fraught with danger where terror tactics are employed to suppress whole communities.
Inside the shelter, Helene helps care for her baby while bonding with other survivors—some as young as twelve—who share similar tragic stories of violence. The facility serves as a refuge where girls and women can find solace, though the memory of their suffering looms over them. The broader landscape of Haiti reflects an alarming state of disarray, with humanitarian issues exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. The United Nations reports that over 1.3 million residents have been displaced, and food insecurity afflicts half the population.
As the gangs adapt and expand their territories, Haitian authorities struggle to regain control, resorting to potentially perilous contracts with private militaries. Coalition efforts to stabilize the country historically have struggled, and vigilante groups are now emerging among communities to fend off gang influences. Amidst this chaos, women's safety becomes increasingly compromised, prompting humanitarian organizations to raise alarms about the dire implications of aid cuts.
Helene's aspirations remain unyielded by her circumstances. "I always dreamt of going to school, to learn and to make something of myself," she reflects. Despite the ever-present challenges, her resilience stands as a testament to the conditional strength of hope as she raises her daughter, longing for a brighter future not only for herself but for her child as well.
