After research and close observation, Gloria Busingye learnt that perpetrators of sexual violence are either close family or community members with the victims. This, she says, influences silence especially on the victims’ part.

She recognises that victims remain quiet because, they don’t know where and how to report, fear of humiliation that comes with abuse, or the perpetrator has threatened them.

This is why Busingye took the initiative to establish ‘Safe Circle for Children’ a project aimed at putting an end to the culture of silence among victims of sexual violence.

She had a chat with People’s Donah Mbabazi, below are the excerpts;

Tell us about this project.

The project started last year and it was inspired by the number of children, especially girls, that suffer sexual violence. It caters for girls below 18 years that have fallen victim to sexual gender-based violence/abuse. However, since the consequences include the birth of baby boys too, the direct beneficiaries of the project are children and women (victims of GBV).

Gloria Busingye. Courtesy photo

What does the project do exactly?

It is basically an advocacy project with the sole objective of influencing prevention of sexual violence against girls.

The advocacy is based on support of victims and prevention of sexual violence through training of both children and caretakers. Through advocacy, victims receive moral, clinical and legal support needed and perpetrators are deterred since awareness is created among both children and caregivers at school and home.

The project acts as a channel for victims, or potential victims, to get the support they need through advocacy and reporting. It also aims at putting an end to the culture of silence that influences low reporting rate.

Any milestones achieved so far?

Yes, I have supported a number of victims, young children below the age of 18 that are accommodated at Centre Amarembo (an NGO working with street children, orphans, victims of abuse and other disadvantaged youth in Kigali). However, this wasn’t a one-man effort; it was a project I led with the Rotaract Club of Kigali City. With fellow Rotaractors, we supported children with necessities like sanitary towels, diapers, clothes, and food stuffs, among others. Rotaractors also spent time with the kids because we believed that playing and having someone to talk to was part of the therapy they need as they recover from the effects of sexual violence.

What do you think is the most rewarding part of your work?

Stories of child victims of sexual abuse are very disturbing. So far, the most rewarding part of my work is when a victim gets an opportunity and safe environment to get their story heard. Because sharing such a story takes courage, yet the most important part of the healing process for them is to pick up their self-esteem and confidence.

However, though still viewed in the long term, the most rewarding bit will be a well-coordinated reporting system which will help victims, their caregivers or even members of the community, to know when and where to report and be facilitated with easy means of reporting.

Do you think there will ever be effective deterrence against gender violence? What would it take to achieve this?

Yes, I am very positive there will be. Matter of fact, there has been progress already. But I also believe that it can get better. And what would this take? Constant awareness among both parents or caregivers and children themselves on both the dangers of SGBV and how they can best prevent its occurrence, involvement of male figures and change of mind-set. There’s still a lot to do to change the mind-set of many when it comes to sexual violence.

With the nature of the experience to victims, it doesn’t help much when a victim speaks out and their story is not believed. Some think if not reported immediately, then a case is not true, others think girls will make up a rape case just to seek attention and destroy the reputation of the male figure involved.

For purposes of prevention, it would be great if concerned authorities and stakeholders agreed to a suggestion of publicising perpetrators that are found guilty by the law.

What are some of the project’s future plans?

We plan to conduct a data compiling exercise that will create a one-stop centre for resources so that researchers and other advocates can easily access information on statistics, measures taken so far, and what more needs to be done. This will facilitate more advocacies based on facts on ground to solicit support for the victims.

Reporting channels will also be improved and awareness created for the same, so that the culture of silence in the face of violence is disrupted both on the side of victims as well as their caregivers or guardians.

Since many victims drop out of school at a tender age, the project will also advocate to concerned stakeholders to support the children in going back to school.

The programme will also initiate activities that will instil confidence and trust in girls, enabling them to speak out.

All activities will be channelled towards breaking the culture of silence among young girls so that they can speak out instead of being put down by threats from their perpetrators.  

Her project was inspired by the number of children, especially girls, that suffer sexual violence.