Gang Rape of Children in Sudan Leading to Suicide
by Kevin Caruso
September 1, 2004
The horrific genocide which has been occurring in the Sudan in which state-sanctioned Janjaweed ("men on horses") massacre African Christians and Muslims has one more extremely disturbing and sickening element -- the gang rape and torture of children -- and the subsequent suicides associates with those attacks.
Clearly, gang rape is being used as a weapon by the Janjaweed, and that weapon is leading to the suicide of many women and girls. Many Sudanese women have been taught that rape is always their fault. And thus the gang rapes are designed to cause not only as much physical pain as possible, but also as much emotional pain as possible.
And because there is so much shame associated with rape in the Sudan, very few women will actually report the crimes. Not only do they think that the rape was their fault, but they believe -- and rightfully so -- that their families will ostracize them if they report the rape.
And if they are pregnant, the child will be a pariah.
Thus, many Sudnese women who are raped fall into a deep depression and die by suicide.
But the most disturbing and shocking problem with gang rapes in Sudan is this: According to Amnesty International, girls as young as eight are being repeatedly gang raped and tortured. And if they try to flee during the rape, their captors break their arms and legs.
Many young girls have been kidnapped and are gang raped and tortured on a daily basis.
The physical and emotional pain is certainly unbearable, and it is inevitable that these young girls will fall into a deep depression, with, of course, no possibility for treatment.
And, Amnesty International reports that the wives of the Janjaweed shout slurs at the young girls during the gang rapes.
I cannot begin to imagine the hell that these young girls are enduring. It makes me sick.
Not surprisingly, many of these young girls are dying by suicide.
But the international response to the crisis in Sudan has been ridiculously slow. A genocide is underway, and those who are not killed are being subjected to the worst type of torture and abuse imaginable. And, again, many of those being tortured are young girls.
The abuse and suicides of these precious young girls is an extremely urgent matter, to say the least.
I can only hope that the international community wakes up, stops the genocide, and rescues these poor young girls.
If you or someone you know is suicidal, please go to the Home Page of this website for immediate help.
Thank you.
I love you.
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
