In the heart of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, young Helene, now 19, recounts her life-altering experience as a rape survivor who was held captive by armed gang members. At just 17, during a gang attack on her neighborhood, she was abducted and subjected to daily violence. “They raped me and beat me every single day,” she says, recounting the harrowing ordeal that lasted over two months. Despite the trauma, Helene fiercely resisted their demands to abort her baby, affirming, “This baby could be the only one I ever have.”

Now living in a safe house with other survivors, she raises her daughter in a community of resilience amidst chaos. The environment is simultaneously vibrant yet troubled, home to a diverse group of girls affected by the same crisis—a harrowing statistic that underscores the sexual violence crisis in the country. Helene serves as a mother figure to many of the younger girls, including a 12-year-old who has suffered from malnutrition and multiple assaults.

The situation in Haiti has worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, resulting in gangs controlling approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince. According to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the instances of sexual violence have surged, with the clinic operating in the area witnessing a near tripling of patients since 2021. Survivors report horrifying abuses, often involving multiple aggressors, casting a dark shadow over communities as they face brutal attacks characterized by murder and rape.

The United Nations has raised alarms that over 1.3 million Haitians have been displaced due to the rampant violence, with humanitarian organizations labeling the reality for women in the capital as dire. With gangs seizing crucial public spaces and trade routes, fears of safety loom large as vigilante groups form in neighborhoods attempting to reclaim their safety.

International efforts, including a Kenyan-led security force, have struggled to rein in the escalating violence. In scenes reminiscent of a war zone, security forces often find themselves ambushed, leading to questions about their effectiveness against well-armed gangs. Reports indicate that private military contractors are being deployed to aid in the efforts, but the pervasive fear of gang retaliation remains.

Local women bravely share their stories of trauma, reflecting a pattern of violence accompanied by systemic failures to protect vulnerable populations. Helene’s dreams of education and a better future for her daughter stand in stark contrast to the grim present filled with uncertainty. She worries about how she will support her child in a city plagued by violence and disruption, with diminishing humanitarian aid exacerbating their plight.

As Helene watches her daughter sleep, she reflects on the stark reality of their lives, facing countless challenges in their quest for safety and stability amidst the turmoil. Through her determination, Helene attempts to rewrite her story while fostering hope for a brighter future for the next generation amid Haiti's turbulent landscape.