Raped by the age of 12, emotionally abused, physically beaten and shunted from family member to family member, Rose* has led a life no child should.
In 2010, Rose’s mother passed away and she was sent to live with her brother and sister-in-law.
It was here that the abuse first began. While her brother was at work, Rose’s sister-in-law refused to give her food.
“When I told my brother about it, a big fight broke out and I was sent to live with an aunt.”
At her aunt’s home, what had started off as neglect, turned into a horrific rape experience.
“My aunty went to town one day and I went to have a bath. I was naked and about to climb into the bath when my 22-year-old cousin came in and said I had to have sex with him.”
When she refused, her cousin held her down and raped her.
“I told my aunt and she said I was lying because I did not scream for help. I explained my cousin had held my mouth closed, but she still said I was lying and that I had wanted to have sex with my cousin.”
Not wanting to take responsibility for her anymore, her aunt sent her to another aunt to be cared for but her aunt refused and said she had to return to her brother.
At her brother’s house, where she knew neglect waited, Rose found out she was pregnant.
“My brother asked if I was pregnant. I didn’t know so he got someone to come and check. He did and I was told I was pregnant.”
Ashamed of his 12-year-old sister, he sent her back to the aunt who had sent her to him.
“I stayed with her for a year and was then told I had to leave. But when I wanted to leave, I was told I had to pay for the year that my baby and I had stayed there.”
Not certain how she would pay, she asked her aunt how she could pay without a job and prostitution was suggested.
Refusing to walk down the road of a street worker, Rose found herself in a predicament.
Rose said her uncle told her he was going to the hospital and she had to be gone when he returned.
In trepidation, Rose packed and put the infant on her back to leave.
But as she was leaving, her cousins grabbed her and asked for the money “owed” to their parents.
“They started hitting me, punching me. I fell on my back and then they started kicking me, my aunt hit me with a sjambok.”
Rose’s family chased her away and made her leave her child behind.
Fleeing to her boyfriend, the frightened teenager was able to find help.
Now, the 16-year-old Rose is residing at Newcastle Crisis Centre until she can find her feet.
“I do not see much of a future for myself, as I have not been in school since I fell pregnant. But I would like to be educated.”
*Rose’s real name was not used.
