GBV survivor and founder of the Young Lady You are a Jewel (YLYJ) NPO Charlotte Masunyane draws her strength from the fact that she was able to survive all the harrowing things done to her by those she thought she could trust.
The Wattville resident started experiencing abuse at the age of eight after being raped multiple times by her uncle.
From ages 14 to 17, close family members harmed her to the point where she attempted suicide three times and in matric she left home to stay with her boyfriend, who also abused her.
As we observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, Masunyane has shared her story and how she survived, hoping to inspire the multitudes of women experiencing the same.
“At the age of eight, I was raped a couple of times by my uncle during a visit to my extended family over school holidays. I could not tell anyone as he had threatened to kill me.
“From the ages of 14 to 17, I was physically abused by a close family member. The abuse resulted in black eyes, starvation, rejection and I was also given to men. I had to push myself to finish school without any support. At that point, I had attempted suicide three times.
“During my matric year, I wasn’t allowed to study in the house. The lights would be switched off in my room, and blankets and clothes were taken from me. I had to borrow from our neighbours.
“One night around midnight, a family member came with an unknown man who apparently wanted to see me outside. When I went outside, this man struck me and I almost fell to the ground. I thank God I was able to run while he was chasing me around with his car.
“For this reason, I stayed with a 19-year-old boyfriend without the knowledge of his family. We had to hide every day. I would go to school during the day and come to sleep and eat at night. This continued until I passed matric when his family found out and welcomed me. I stayed there until I found employment.
“During the stay there, we had a child and a lot happened. My boyfriend also started to abuse me physically, with one incident leading to me being hospitalised and operated on.
“I had to go back home again with my child. I lost my job and things were still bad at home and church became my source of hope and strength.
“So I served and gave my whole life to serving until I was raped again at church. It really broke me because I never thought this could happen there as well. It was a safe space for me.
“I have attempted suicide four times but still here I am. This is why I started my organisation, the YLYJ, to help women find healing and purpose in their lives.”
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