1057: Nina Aouilk | Ending Forced Marriage and Honor Killings Part One

Sexual Assault

Nina Aouilk recounts the traumatic experience of being gang-raped by her father and his friends at the age of 14. She describes the fear and helplessness she felt, knowing there was no way out of the situation. The cultural practice of not naming elders added to her isolation and confusion 1. Nina also witnessed horrific acts like bride burnings and infanticide, with little intervention from authorities 2.

I would often see police cars and policemen, but they never seemed to do anything. And then one day I happened to walk behind two police officers who said, oh, we're just gonna call it in as a suicide.

--- Nina Aouilk

These experiences left her feeling abandoned and hopeless, reinforcing the belief that the authorities would never help her.

   

Childhood Abuse

Nina's childhood was marked by severe physical and emotional abuse. She recalls being beaten both at home and at school, where she and her brother were targeted for their race 3. At home, her father never showed affection, and the first time he touched her was to abuse her 4.

I remember my father touching me for the very first time. He'd never held my hand or brushed my hair.

--- Nina Aouilk

These experiences created a sense of normalcy around violence and abuse, making it difficult for her to recognize the severity of her situation.

   

Domestic Servitude

Nina was treated as a servant in her own home, forced to cook and clean for her family. Her mother would often throw her food into the dustbin and make her eat from it, a form of punishment and humiliation 5. Despite the abuse, Nina found moments of kindness that gave her hope, such as a woman who offered her tea and a biscuit during a traumatic time 6.

It was the love that she extended just by handing me this cup of tea. And it had a biscuit on the side.

--- Nina Aouilk

These small acts of kindness helped her hold onto the belief that not everyone was cruel, and that there was still goodness in the world.