It all goes unspoken, unnoticed and unattended as Trans Diverse experiences of violations lead to self victimization and ridicule..
Mary (not real name) a self identified Trans Woman prepares herself for the evening as she had plans with friends for dinner and thereafter a social setting to just chill awaited ...
Mary prepared herself and heads off for dinner .. Spends the evening in great and loving company until she heads out to a common chill spot..
The night streams through with lots of fun and assertive interactions until Mary decided to call it a night...
Mary heads out to catch a cab at around 3am... The cab driver was so friendly and willing to take her to her destination..
AS they departed from the Bar the driver took the route to the local club Chez Ntemba and picked up two male passengers.. The drive was peaceful until the car came to a stop right before the City Police office "There is a off turn to your left on Simon Dr Vet street or bridge" says Mary..
She continues explaining "The next moment I see the two passengers grabbing my cellphone and the accessories I had... And then one guy grabs me and says "it's people like you who have caused so much evil and devil things"... " Today I will show you how to be a man" and there all hell broke loose... They forced themselves on me while one had an object in his hand as he grabbed my private parts... They rapped me and cut a few wounds on this toy between my legs"
Mary's tears started rolling down her cheeks as she narrated her ordeal... She fumes as she cries and speaks out loud in reflection of previous experiences she had... "I can't... this is just too much.. Why me?"
Trans Diverse persons in Namibia have endured and experienced gross violations, as Mary again chose not to report her case because she sees no relevance to advance a case that will not move anywhere...
Mary continues to share "I want nothing to do with any legal process or anything- I want nothing" she says as SHE sits back in her seat, eyes swollen from crying yet tears linger within..
It took so much to break through to Mary to atleast take up health services however we finally got to an agreement. Upon accessing services at Katutura Hospital- a whole process took place which spiraled so much fear in navigating the health care team and system itself to ensure access to services were attained for Mary.
The nurse's and doctor found themselves in a situation where we first had to do instant sensitization and calming. This approach was to ensure Mary is still comfortable irrespective of the reactions we got.
This again is a manifestation that Trans Woman are still treated with phobia based on their bodies. Additionally Trans Diverse persons continue to disregard the need to access services for their wellbeing as they are entitled to it due to a number of reasons put forth by them.
"There is also this persona and fear that sharing my ordeal again would make me become a sample size of documentation in advocacy whilst cases are only taken while the services end once recorded" says Mary..
Something urgent needs to be done to raise awareness on safety in public and in private spaces... and how one can ensure that their wellbeing is taken care of as a whole...
By: Linda RM Baumann
18h45
21 January 2018
(Incident happened on Wednesday 18 January 2018- sharing and crafting the story is based on the comfort of the survivor... )
# RespectAllSurvivors #MaganoBshares
