Ushuuda Prosperine, a survivor of multiple atrocities resulting in severe physical and emotional wounds in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will give a presentation on her experience at the Nassau Community College on Sunday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the multi-purpose room at the college’s CCB Building.
The talk, titled “Enduring the Unimaginable: A Survivor’s Testimony of Survival, Healing and Resilience” at Women, Not Victims: Moving Beyond Sexualized Atrocities During Genocide, which is being presented by the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County and Nassau Community College.
Prosperine had a stable, family-oriented life in the Democratic Republic of Congo until mass murder and armed conflict overtook her country, according to a release from the Holocaust Center.
As an adolescent, she was abducted by terrorists and thrust into a new life dominated by terror, isolation and despair. She became a victim and witness to torture, mutilation and murder.
Prosperine finally managed to escape and fled to Uganda where she experienced persistent homelessness, multiple hospitalizations, cruelty by government officials, and sexual violence in a refugee camp which resulted in pregnancies.
Joining Ms. Prosperine will be her adopted mother, Holly K. Shaw, an associate professor at Adelphi University in the College of Nursing and Public Health, who will speak about “Bearing Witness: A Companion to Survival, Healing and Resilience.”
As a clinician, educator and international activist, Shaw has tried to help with Prosperine’s healing; however, her clinical expertise has not been sufficient for the challenges faced by her adopted daughter and grandchildren, and thus the therapeutic journey continues. Shaw’s presentation will include lessons learned and problems still unsolved in the healing process of genocide-rape survivors.
Survivors of other genocides including the Holocaust and Rwanda will also give testimony at “Women, Not Victims.”
The keynote speaker, Najwa M. Nabti, a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal, The Hague, will address “Courage and Conviction: How the Testimony of Survivors of Sexual Violence has Shaped International Law.”
Registration is free and lunch is included. Space is limited so prospective attendees are advised to RSVP in advance to Deborah Lom at (516) 571-8040 or dlom@hmtcli.org, or register online at www.hmtcli.org/events/womennotvictims.
