About seven months ago, I met a young girl through a large FaceBook community I admin. She was an intelligent, sweet, adventurous 18 year old girl wanting to be free to live her life as she choosed and pursue a career in journalism. However, she lives in a country under sharia law and with parents who ignored her when she told them her uncle and cousin had sexually abused her. They have tried marrying her off multiple times - once to the cousin who molested her. She has refused again and again Now, they are becoming more impatiant and demand she marry that same cousin who molested her as a child.
She needs help, and my organization and I have been doing our best.
I hope my other wonderful community of DailyKos might also help.
Here is Vi's story below the fold.
Vi's Story
I‘m having a hard time living where I live. My plan was to be patient and wait for the right time to get out. But I can’t take all this anymore. I’m living in fear. At the risk of my family finding out who I really am and what I believe in. I can’t hide myself forever and I’m sick of lying to everyone and pretending to be someone I’m not.
I’ve been abused emotionally and physically by my Muslim family and people in this country. They look at me in a very degrading way and treat me as an object. I’ve been molested by my cousin and my uncle at a young age and when I told my parents they didn’t believe me. They still force me to kiss them hello when they come over.
They forced me to wear the Islamic scarf when I was 9. At 15, they tried to marry me off to the cousin that molested me..I refused and kept saying no until they backed off. And when I became 17 they wanted to give me as a gift to a 34 year old divorced guy who helped them with their financial problems. I refused again and was horrified at the idea of getting married to him.
The main problem is that a few weeks ago I was hanging out with a friend. He gave me a drink and told me it wasn’t strong, but when I drank it, I felt like I was half dead. I couldn’t see/hear clearly. He took advantage of the situation and when I woke up the next morning it was all a big shock to me. I couldn’t believe that I lost my virginity and I’m still scared that I might get pregnant because of this.
My parents are still trying to marry me off, and If I keep saying no they might suspect something and send me for a check up..If they find out I’m not a virgin they WILL kill me.
I’ve been an Atheist for 2 years. Not to believe in God in an Islamic country is suicide! If anyone ever found out I’m an Atheist I’ll be killed by the law. This only applies for Arabic Muslims. If a European who was already an Atheist moved in to this country they won’t harm him. I finished high school a year ago.
I wanted to be a journalist but my parents refused to pay for my education (this is because I refused to marry the 34 y o guy) and now I’m taking some courses in Secretary and Computer (ICDL). My parents were never supportive of my dreams and ambitions. They believe a girl should only marry and raise kids . She can’t have dreams or be independent! I have so many dreams I want to achieve and I really wanna make a change but as long as I’m here things will only get worse for me. I need to get out of as fast as I can. I need to start LIVING.
FREE VI
My first child, a daughter I will name Elena, is due in late April. Often, I don't feel this is a good world to bring a child into, but I realized that if I want it to be I need to make it so. I need to do something for another daughter that I would hope someone would be willing to do for my own. My hope is just enough people feel the same way so that the world will become just beautiful and just enough to deserve the likes of Vi and Elena.