POLOKWANE – Violence against women and children has become a pandemic in the country and very often, the victims carry physical and mental scars for the rest of their lives.
Sandra Sello, (26) was raped by three men a number of years ago, and says it was the hardest thing she has ever had to face.
It took her years to heal and get over the traumatic ordeal but she swore that she would help women and children who have been through the same thing.
After her ordeal, she decided to start War Against Rape and Abuse (War_RNA) in August 2014.
She shares her story with Review.
“I decided to start War_RNA five years ago, after I was involved in a hijacking which led to three men beating and eventually raping me. Through my healing process I’d always felt that I should establish a home and platform for women and children to be rescued and healed as well as a system for rapists, paedophiles, molesters and abusive people to be exposed and arrested. It took some time before I could gather the strength and courage to stand up and do it,” Sello explains.
According to Sello, getting her NGO off the ground was not an easy feat.
She says it was challenging and intimidating but with the assistance of the Department of Social Development, the Municipality and the Polokwane SAPS and various other private companies, she saw her dream manifest.
She says she will continue to advocate for the rights of those who have been raped and abused.
WAR_RNA aids victims of rape and abuse, male and female alike, by first assessing their situation then using the best method to help them.
This includes private counselling sessions, intervention from the police, lawyers, social workers and spiritual leaders. Sello says, although a rape free society seems like an impossible task for many, she is up to the challenge.
“We aim to create a rape free community and as unrealistic as this may sound, we aim to bring men to the awareness of this pandemic so that they help us. We aim to get women and children out of the vicious traps of rape and abuse. We want to heal the broken victims and teach them the art of being survivors,” she continues.
Annually, War_RNA hosts silent protests throughout the streets of Polokwane to not only raise awareness but to give voices to the voiceless.
The date of the march will be announced soon and will kick-off at SABC park in Polokwane.
Going forward, Sello encourages communities to be aware of some of the experiences their neighbours are going through and step in and help them.
vella@nmgroup.co.za
