Yvette’s trauma was not downplayed. Her incident was not trivialized.
Yvette, a young girl who grew up in an Adventist family, decided early on that she wanted to follow Christ and get baptized. Recently, a young man began showing interest in her, but since he was not a Christian, she rejected his advances. However, he was determined not to give up, and his family also encouraged him to pursue the girl.
One day, while Yvette was on her way home from work, some friends of her would-be suitor grabbed her and pulled her into the courtyard of the young man’s family. There, his parents locked him and her into a room. They believed that if he slept with her, violating her, she would be ashamed and feel obligated to stay with him. Thus, she was forced to spend the night with him.
Fortunately, the next morning, someone from the village informed our Bible workers, Hyacinthe and Daniel, of what had happened, and they immediately went to the house where she was held captive. They were able to get her out and took her to the hospital. As soon as the medical staff cared for her, Hyacinthe and Daniel went to the police to file a complaint against the young man, and he was arrested.
Daniel and Hyacinthe spent two days at the police station to ensure there were no deals made between the police officers and the young man’s family. It is very common in Benin for friends and family to plead for a culprit’s release, and often the police officers give in. But the church elders persisted. As required by the law, 72 hours after being arrested, the young man was put in prison, where he remains to this day waiting for his trial.
Yvette has recovered from the trauma as much as is possible. Helping her to move forward after this terrible experience was the fact that the church elders stood up for her and didn’t let go until the young man received the punishment he deserved. Her pain was not downplayed. The incident was not trivialized. Her encounter was taken seriously. She was valued.
Please pray that Yvette’s emotional scars would heal and that she would find a godly young man who loves and respects her.
