Justice for a Teenager: Confronting Exploitation and Standing By a Survivor

To protect the survivor's identity, names, ages, locations, and other identifying details in this story have been changed. It reflects a real case handled by LEWAF's Response and Advocacy program.

A teenage girl was targeted by an adult man many years her senior, who exploited her youth and vulnerability to draw her into an abusive situation that continued, under threat and manipulation, for an extended period. She eventually became pregnant. When she told the man responsible, he physically assaulted her and threatened her life if she told anyone the truth. Terrified, she confided in a relative, who informed her father.

Her father, already raising his children alone, was devastated by the news, and the man responsible continued to harass and confront him whenever their paths crossed. Overwhelmed and unsure where to turn, the family was referred to LEWAF.

LEWAF's first priority was the girl herself: a counselling session aimed at addressing the fear and trauma she was carrying, and reassuring her that the man responsible would be held accountable. The team then completed a formal client admission process, gathering the information needed to support a police investigation, and forwarded a referral the very next day. After weeks evading arrest, the man was ultimately apprehended by police at LEWAF's own office. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

Throughout the process, LEWAF has coordinated regular clinic sessions and ongoing support for the girl and her family. While the case has not yet concluded, both father and daughter say they feel closer than ever to seeing justice done.