Former hostage shares horrifying ordeal in bid to end violence against women

Amanda Lindhout, a freelance journalist who was held captive for 460 days in Somalia, speaks during One Billion Rising, the global activist movement to end violence against women, at TD Square on Thursday.

Edmonton Journal
Friday, February 15, 2013

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Sharing a difficult revelation about her torture in captivity, a former hostage’s story moved many to tears Thursday during an anti-violence-against-women rally.

Many are familiar with Amanda Lindhout’s harrowing plight of kidnap and brutality at the hands of Somalian criminals.

But, for the first time, Lindhout spoke to a downtown crowd in frank terms about her own victimization as part of V-Day, the global activist movement to end violence against females.

“Being raped and the sexual violence that I experienced is something I feel has changed me forever,” Lindhout told a rapt crowd at Calgary’s TD Square over the lunch hour Thursday.

“The life that I had known was gone forever and a new one began for me. I experienced the brutal way that women are treated when they are considered unworthy of equality and respect,” she said.

“I have survived rape and I have survived torture. Now that I am free and have this second chance at life, it is my calling to help.”

During Lindhout’s speech, many were moved to tears, and later erupted into applause.

“Today was, in fact, the first time I’ve ever used the kind of language I’ve used about rape and torture,” Lindhout told the Herald.

“If there’s ever an appropriate place and time to do it, this is it; where people are coming together to help heal this plight in the planet, so I’m happy to share my story and the lessons that I’ve learned, and to show my solidarity with other women around the world that have suffered just like I have.”

In 2008, Lindhout and Australian photographer Nigel Brennan were captured by armed teenagers near the Somalian capital of Mogadishu. The pair, who were working as freelance journalists, spent 460 days in captivity, while kidnappers were demanding a $2.5-million ransom. Lindhout was kept in a darkened room and chained to a floor.

Lindhout started a non-profit organization, The Global Enrichment Foundation, three years ago to raise money for support programs in Somalia.

She has also written about her ordeal in a book coming out in the fall.

As part of the global Valentine’s Day awareness campaign, called One Billion Rising, the local event featured singers, dancers, information booths and guest speakers.

In a speech opening the event, Justice Minister and solicitor General Jonathan Denis said “we need to change attitudes. Men have a very important role to play in changing these attitudes and how we raise the next generation,” Denis said.

“Three out of four people in Alberta know a woman affected by domestic violence. I hate to say it, I’m one of them.”

Denis said housing programs directly affect women in abuse.

“I don’t want women to have to choose between being in an abusive situation and housed, to not being housed.”

Statistics show one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped in their lifetime.

In Calgary, police responded to 15,955 domestic violence calls last year.

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