Irene Rodriguez , Founder of Zaafiro , seeks with her testimony to empower women who suffered violence.
Photo: EL NORTE
Karen Lopez
Monterrey , Mexico (August 9, 2013 ) . – Being a victim of abuse is beyond the physical damage. The social, psychological and emotional damage are equally serious and, therefore, must be treated urgently .
Zaafiro’s Foundation, formed four years ago by Irene Rodriguez, 25 year old , who was a victim of sexual abuse, seeks to be a bridge between battered women and a community of doctors, psychologists, and public and private institutions to help them restore their physical and emotional health and empowering them to reintegrate into society.
The foundation is officially presented today at a private event at the Casino del Valle, at 20:00 .
” I was a victim of rape four years ago and at that time I tryied to get help, but you close completely first. You realize there’s no book, there is no one who is willing to talk to you, to say ‘ this is going to be well , you’ll get thorough this ‘ ” Rodriguez said in an interview .
” You start to see, unfortunately, a closed society that rejects you, and this becomes a taboo . What hurts most, I think is that no one supports you, but only love is what will help you to continue”.
Although Irene had the support of her family at all times, the process of reconstructing the identity of a person is difficult after a rape, because we have to start from scratch, the process can take a lifetime .
“After a year I started to meet people who have had this situation, and you can not be indifferent, you start to feel a connection with these people and you must say to them ‘I understand you, the experience I had is very hard, but I ‘m still here and I keep going. ‘
“I was myself in a process, but looking at those women so desperate, I realized I was on another level. For them it meant a lot to see me ok, and then I said ‘ if they can see i’m fine is because I am ‘, and I believed it myself . ”
From the strength and self-empowerment , Zaafiro was born, initially with few women of all ages and social conditions, which Irene directed with acquaintances and people who supported her cause, until the achievement of the constitution as an Association.
Besides treating victims urgently , Irene and his colleagues try to create social awareness of the risks and prejudices society make.
” The reality is that there are many dangers, but society always blame the victim for were you where, how were you dressed, and if you had taken alcohol. I’m trying to create awareness of the risks and how society judge the victim.”
The headquarters and offices are kept private to protect victims . More information https://zaafiro.com/ on Facebook , or call +52811736-3647 .