How WARIF Is Helping Ogenekaro Heal and Survive After Being Assaulted By Her Uncle

Welcome to the WARIF Survivor Stories Series, a monthly feature where stories of survivors of rape and sexual violence are shared to motivate and encourage survivors to speak their truth without the fear of judgment or stigmatisation and to educate the public on the sheer magnitude of this problem in our society.

The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) is a non-profit organisation set up in response to the extremely high incidence of rape, sexual violence, and human trafficking of young girls and women in our society. WARIF is tackling this issue through a holistic approach that covers health, education, and community service initiatives.

This week, we’re featuring Ogenekaro’s story, a sexual assault survivor.

Featured Image by Sora Shimazaki for Pexels

My name is Ogenekaro, and I am a 20-year-old woman.

I lost both of my parents at a very young age and was raised by my late father’s elder brother, my uncle, and his wife. They loved and cared for me as though I were their own daughter. I have always called them “Dad” and “Mom.”

After I was unable to pass all my WAEC subjects on my first attempt, my guardians enrolled me in a secondary school so I could rewrite my examinations. The school’s director, whom I will call Mr Ade, was a close family friend. Because of the trust my family placed in him, I never imagined he would become the person who would betray that trust most devastatingly.

Since I lived far from the school, I stayed with my aunt, who lived much closer. A few weeks after I resumed, Mr Ade began giving me special attention. Eventually, he asked me to be in a relationship with him, promising that he would help me excel academically if I accepted. I rejected his advances.

Alongside my studies, I ran a small online clothing business. One day, Mr Ade ordered several shirts and asked me to deliver them to his residence. Believing it was a normal business transaction, I went to his house. After we spoke for a while, he began touching me inappropriately. I pleaded with him to stop and told him I was a virgin, but he ignored my pleas. He sexually assaulted me.

Afterwards, he begged me not to tell anyone. He promised that he would marry me someday and warned me that my guardians would never believe my story. He also threatened to harm me if I disclosed what had happened. Terrified and confused, I remained silent.

The abuse did not end that day.

He repeatedly manipulated and pressured me into returning to his house. Over time, he coerced me into sending nude photographs and videos of myself. When I expressed fear or resisted his demands, he used those images to blackmail me. He threatened to send them to my guardians and falsely claim that I had tried to seduce him if I refused to comply. After every assault, he reminded me never to tell anyone.

Although he constantly instructed me to delete our conversations, I secretly kept copies of our messages and protected them with a password without his knowledge. Those messages became the only evidence I had of the abuse, threats, and manipulation I endured.

As the months passed, I became consumed by fear, shame and despair. I withdrew from everyone around me and struggled with overwhelming suicidal thoughts.

My aunt noticed the dramatic change in my behaviour and repeatedly asked what was wrong, but I could not bring myself to speak. Eventually, I reached my breaking point. I left behind a note asking my family not to look for me, left my phone at home, and went to stay with a childhood friend.

While trying to understand what had happened, my aunt found my phone and discovered several password-protected conversations. Using the password I had written in my note, she accessed the messages and uncovered the evidence of the abuse, including his threats and the explicit images he had coerced me into sending. Realising where I was likely to be, my family found me safely at my friend’s house.

My guardians were devastated that someone they had trusted so completely had taken advantage of me. They immediately reported the matter to the police. The police referred me to the WARIF Centre, where I received comprehensive medical care, psychosocial counselling, and other support services free of charge.

When I first arrived at WARIF, I felt broken, hopeless, and overwhelmed by trauma. My counsellor listened to me without judgment and continually reminded me that what had happened was not my fault. Through counselling, I learned healthy coping strategies that helped me process my trauma, rebuild my confidence, and gradually regain my sense of self-worth.

I also began attending WARIF’s monthly Group Therapy Sessions, where I met other survivors. Sharing our experiences in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment reminded me that I was not alone. Together, we encouraged one another, found strength in our shared resilience, and celebrated every step of our healing journeys.

Although my court case is still ongoing, I remain hopeful that justice will be served.

Despite everything I experienced, I refused to let my story define my future. I rewrote my WAEC examinations at another centre, passed with excellent results, and gained admission to study Pharmacy at university. Today, I am in my second year and maintaining a first-class GPA.

Looking back, I know my healing journey would not have been possible without the care, compassion, and unwavering support I received at WARIF. The dedication and professionalism of the counsellors, medical team, staff, and management restored my hope when I had completely lost the will to live.

Today, I choose to focus not only on what I survived, but on who I have become because I refused to give up. My story is proof that, with the right support, survivors can reclaim their lives, pursue their dreams, and find the strength to keep moving forward.

*Real name of the survivor changed for confidentiality.

***

WARIF aids survivors of rape and sexual violence through the WARIF Centre – a haven where trained professionals are present full-time, 6 days a week, including public holidays, to offer immediate medical care, forensic medical examinations, psycho-social counselling, and welfare services, which include shelter, legal aid, and vocational skills training. These services are provided FREE of charge to any survivor who walks into the Centre. This feature is published as part of BellaNaija’s commitment to youth, education, healthcare, and community development as part of our corporate social responsibility program.