I was commissioned by SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) in 2019 to document projects SCIAF supports in DRC, which help women and girls affected by sexual violence. It is through the support of these grass root community groups that healing can begin.

It’s a subject I am passionate about and I’ve documented stories on this issue in Guatemala and India. 

We were 10 days on the ground and we hit it running.

We met brave ladies who were prepared to be photographed and tell their stories, there is real stigma attached to the woman but also their husband, who is looked on as weak for not being able to protect his wife. The children of rape remind people of what has happened, they can also be accused of witchcraft and sorcery. Many don’t go to school: they are hungry, in the street, rejected by their mothers but there are also those who have been loved and nurtured by their mother and whose future is bright given the right support.

Meeting and photographing women who have survived such violence is a mix of emotions: respect, empathy, pride, anger and more. I feel if I can translate just a little bit of their strength, resilience and potential into a portrait that people can empathise with but not feel sorry for, can accept and not dismiss and generally raise awareness then I am content.

These ladies speak of their experiences and share their stories, realising that this is not what their life has to be defined by.