“Let what happened to me end with me,” victim dies with message

By Adel Fruean 14 February 2019, 12:00AM

An 18-year-old victim of rape who passed away recently due to heart problems has left a message with the hope that it could save others.

Identified only as Rosa, her funeral service was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints at Fasito’o-uta yesterday.

“Her last words were: ‘Let what happened to me end with me’,” the President of the Samoa Victim Support Group, Siliniu Lina Chang, recalled in her eulogy.

“In a Christian nation, children should grow up safely within their own family environment but I wasn’t – that is why I am calling on all the parents to please love your children’.”

Siliniu said Rosa left this message in the hope that another would not have to suffer what happened to her.

The funeral was attended by Rosa’s relatives, friends and SVSG representatives.

Siliniu said the victim fought strongly for justice.

 “She came under our care on September 2018, but during her stay she was quiet yet full of anger and bitterness, we also noticed that she was very pale and weak,” Siliniu said.

She revealed that the victim suffered a stroke in November last year but she continued to fight for her survival. 

“We supported her throughout everything even though so many obstacles were against us. We saw the pain she went through; we have seen how she wanted to be brave but hid the pain that was inside her.

“We thank the Police and the doctors at the National Health Services for all that you have done to help her.”

 The deceased was then laid to rest at her family’s land.

But it was not an easy farewell for the siblings and families of the deceased especially for the younger sister who could not accept the fact that her sister had passed on.

The 18-year-old victim had given her statement to the Police about what happened to her before her passing. 

Her biological father has been charged, with the hearing scheduled for March. 

By Adel Fruean 14 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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