Isabelle, aged 16, has been a regular visitor to the Goma clinic, run by Doctors on Call for Service (DOCS) for rape victims, since June. Isabelle was accompanying her mother to the fields near her home village of Masisi Nyabiondo, when she was attacked by six men and raped. The rape left her incontinent and badly infected.

"About a year ago, when I was 15 and still at school, my mother and I got up to go to the fields. It was about eight o'clock in the morning. We knew it was risky going to the bush, so we planned just to grab what we needed and hurry home.

On the way, we met a group of 10 men. Six grabbed me. My mother ran. The men raped me. I felt the first man enter me. I had never slept with a man before. After the second or third, I lost consciousness. I spent two days in the bush. My mother, thinking I was dead, came back to find me. I was ill for many days and had no medicines and no advice."

Isabelle's mother supported and cared for her, but had no idea what to do with her daughter, who suffered a lacerated vagina and was incontinent. Isabelle remembers that she stank of rotten meat. No-one went to see her; everyone avoided her.

I spent two days in the bush. My mother, thinking I was dead, came back to find me. I was ill for many days and had no medicines and no advice
Isabelle, aged 16

"I had heard of this kind of attack before, but it had never happened to anyone in my village. Then we learnt of the counsellors in Masisi. One told me 'Don't be afraid, you are better already', and brought me here. At first I didn't want to talk to any of the nurses or doctors.

I couldn't be with people. But then I was very glad to see other women getting better and I started to believe I could get better. I stank when I got here, but I was able to wash myself and my clothes with soap. I could eat and sleep well. I am very grateful for the food aid."

Others in Isabelle's home village were also raped, and some have since died. Some have come to DOCS for treatment. "I have heard that if victims don't look injured, men shove a stick into their vagina, until water flows."

Today, Isabelle wants to go back to school and eventually become a primary school teacher.

"I hate men, I'm scared of men. My priority now is to finish my education. I don't want to risk having a family. If I have to marry, I'll do it much later, when I'm bigger."