“After it happened I was having flashbacks and nightmares”
08 In 2006 and 2007, two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) staff undertook an exploratory mission to assess the possible healthcare needs in Papua New Guinea. What they found were very high levels of social and domestic violence against women, children and men, which were resulting in massive medical and psychosocial needs. People – especially women – are living in a constant state of fear, with minimal medical care and with no access to psychosocial services. NAOMI’S STORY was a victim of a robbery and rape. It was the first time something like this happened to me. After work, I was walking home and there was a holdup on the way with three males. They took my bag and then one chased me, and when I
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fell down he was trying to stab me with a knife. He was just trying to stab me and I was trying to protect myself and he pulled me into the bushes.
After he raped me he pulled me out of the bush with a knife on my neck. I was scared so when he was trying to talk to me I ran to find help.
I tried to be confident, and when I looked in his eyes he started punching me in the face and said, “Don’t look at me, I’m gonna kill you.” He just kept trying to stab me and I was using both hands to stop him. He had two big knives. I was fighting for my life. I didn’t want to have sex with him because I know it’s unsafe. I know about HIV and STIs [sexually transmitted infections], but he tried to stab me with a knife and then he kicked my left shoulder – it still has pain – and I felt like I was helpless and I couldn’t fight for my rights anymore.
When I came near a neighbourhood I started to call for help. There was a group of boys on the side of the road, and they helped me. They went to find their sisters and brought me into the house. I told them what happened and they went and found my family who was looking for me. My family was good. At first I just went into my room and I did not want to come out. But my mother was calling me and said I couldn’t just be alone.
I asked “Do you have a condom?” and he said “Don’t talk to me about condoms.” And I knew I was in hell now.
I know that HIV can transmit in 48 to 72 hours and I wanted to get some help, and also not get pregnant or an STI. When I came to the centre I can see they’re helping me well. The clinic service is great. I was happy to be a patient here. The staff
© Karen Mulchinock/ MSF
Dispatches Vol. 11, Ed.2
PAPUA NEW GUINEA