“I was sexually abused twice… I don’t know what happened, all I remember was that I was tipsy and that I was among friends”

In the early summer of 2022, we were in Mar Mikhael, and a young lady (23yo) approached us curious about the activity being conducted. She was greeted by one of our peers and guided through our services.

She remained silent throughout the process and asked to get tested, while filling out the forms with the peer educator, she was uncomfortable answering questions about condom use and safety. When she entered the mobile unit to get tested, she was trembling and pale. The VCT officer was careful to make her feel comfortable and created a safe space.

When asked: what was the reason she believed she was at risk, she said: “I was sexually abused twice… I don’t know what happened, all I remember was that I was tipsy and that I was among friends… all I know is that I’m sure I did not want this to happen”. Fortunately, her tests came out negative. She remained a few more minutes in the mobile unit, discussing prevention methods, PEP, and medical referrals for Gynecology support.

Most importantly, we learned that she was being followed up by a therapist and that it was mentioned during her sessions that getting tested was a way to face her fears and accept the events. However, she never found the will to do the first step and get tested in a laboratory. She was empowered by the outreach program, it was as if it was a message from above she added.