This is a story I never thought I’d be writing about as a
volunteer on Lesvos. A volunteer in a humanitarian crisis, with a group
organized to respond to that crisis.
This is the story of a young woman, a volunteer raped by
another volunteer after a party, and treated abominably by the supposedly
humanitarian organization. Forced to sit down with her rapist. Guilted and
shamed and told to accept her share of the blame. Forced to work with her
rapist for weeks.
Alone in a country far from home, where should she have
turned for help if not to the organization she volunteered with? Silenced, she
struggled with her trauma.
And what of the rapist who admitted his act? Who apologized.
Did he think that would make everything alright? Did the organization think
that made everything alright?
I can’t fathom what was in their minds, because as well as
the additional trauma they loaded onto this young woman, their action—or
inaction—put others at risk. Put other young women in the group at risk. Put
the organization at risk. And most mind-boggling of all, they put the refugees
at risk by continuing to send this man,
this admitted rapist, (although in his mind it was “only” date rape so that
doesn’t count? No. All rape is violent) the organization continued to send this
admitted rapist to the refugee camp to work with the most vulnerable people in
the world.
They might have gotten away with their cover-up. But they
pushed it too far. They put this man in a position of higher responsibility in
the camp. They pushed the young victim too far. At last she spoke out.
Once public the organization responded not with an admission
of stupidity and guilt and a heartfelt apology, but with vague evasions and
half-truths and even lies. Some bought it. Some didn’t. some think they can
help change the ethos of the organization. Some have doubts. A few have left.
But the damage is done. The victim is scarred for life, and
who knows how far the ripple effects of this man’s violent action and the
irresponsible and despicable actions of the organization will flow?
Farther, probably, than anyone imagines.
