Rape survivor pastor urges victims to speak out

DURBAN Pastor Noreen Shabane, (37), is urging victims of rape and abuse to speak out, saying that finding the courage to speak about her own rape ordeal was the most important step on her journey to healing.

Pastor Noreen is a leader, an associate Pastor and motivational speaker who has conducted talks through churches and youth camps in and around South Africa to encourage people to speak out against rape and abuse.

Her appeal to victims comes after the dark cloud of rape and gender based violence has hung over the country in the recent months. Pastor Noreen shared her own distressing experience with Berea Mail.

“I was six years old when I was first raped by a person close to our family and well known to my parents, ” she said, adding that the sexual abuse continued for two years. “That’s how my virginity was taken from me,” she said.

Pastor Noreen, explained that the ordeal affected her for years and it was only after another near rape incident when she was 16, that she broke down and finally told her parents. Shocked and devastated, her parents sent her for counselling but it was only after she found God that her healing process began. “I was finally able to forgive,” she said. She revealed that going through such a traumatic experience had equipped her with the necessary strength to help others who have gone through the same or even worse pain.

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“I found the courage to talk about my ordeal so I can help many other women and young girls that go through the same experience daily,” she said, adding that the sad reality was that many victims suffered in silence.

“Many women still protect rapists who commit sexual assaults in fear of separating families and neighbors which in turn leaves them to suffer in silence,” she said.

She said the biggest lesson to learn was that it was never the survivor’s fault.

“I guess the most inspirational part of my story is that the moment I was ready to start talking and helping people, doors opened and I had the platforms available to do what needed to be done. The amount of love and support I have received has been amazing. Finding the courage to speak is the most important step on the healing journey. Even if it is the only step you take, it will change your life. You will find the people you need to help you heal,” she said.

Watch Pastor Noreen share her story of rape and healing:

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