Suicide Should Not be the Answer, Abuse Victim Tells
Awoman who says she was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her father spoke about her battle with suicide yet advocated that people can overcome it.
35-year-old, Ms A (Not her real name. It has not been used for legal reasons), spoke bravely to a crowd last night during Lifeline Fiji’s vigil which was organised to mark World Suicide Prevention Day in Suva.
For years, Ms A was in and out of St Giles Hospital for psychiatric treatment.
She says she has forgiven her father,
who was tried and sentenced for the offence against her. But her reason to speak out was to encourage young people to realise that no matter what life throws at you, it was important not to blame yourself but to keep forging ahead.
Ms A said she was sexually abused for seven years from the age of 12 by her biological father. “I forgive my father as he has served his term for what he did but am still waiting for an apology from him.”
In her dark times, Ms A was diagnosed with bipolar disorder which affected her studies and made her drop out from school. “My father was an alcoholic and a violent man,” she said.
“I overdosed myself with all the medicines doctors gave me and I went to Saint Giles 8 times due to this. We sometimes feel unheard when we try to speak to people because people out there don’t know our pain and sometimes they don’t understand us.
“I want to use my horrifying experience to advocate and help those who are facing the same trauma that I faced for years.” Ms A who travelled from Lautoka now uses all available platforms to raise awareness and assist those who are in need.