I Cannot Do This Alone

An urgent update on Alicia — and what she needs right now.

I spoke to her this evening.

Things are not great. Her father is still a free man. And she feels pity for him — something I'm trying to talk her out of, gently but firmly. Someone who loves you would not rape you. She needs to know that.

Since the incident, she has been living with her mum's sister. The living conditions are destroying her mental health. The woman shames her, insults her, blames her — every chance she gets.

My cousin reached out to me today because I haven't done a great job of staying in touch. But I was the only one she could talk to.

She is drowning, guys. My baby is drowning.

She is suicidal. Already spiraling. While on the call — which she is not even free to make because of her living conditions — she started bawling.

I almost started crying with her.

She does not deserve this.

---

School is not an option right now

She is extremely brilliant. She had brilliant WAEC results, but her Physics result got cancelled. She needs to write a supplementary exam to get admission, but all entrance exam applications have closed.

So school is out of the picture for now. She is stuck, with no clear path forward.

She needs a form of therapy. I can try to help, but I am drowning in school work. I cannot function the way she needs me to. And I feel terrible about that — but I cannot pour from an empty cup.

---

She needs to leave that house

She is looking for ways to get out of her aunt's place. I genuinely don't know what to do. I am a student. I am not financially capable of taking care of myself, let alone another human.

But she needs to get out of that shithole. ASAP.

---

If you can help, here is what I need

1. A safe place for her to stay in Benin or nearby. Somewhere with a woman who will not blame her, shame her, or make her feel like this was her fault.

2. Legal pressure on the father. The police have done nothing. NAPTIP needs to be contacted again. A child rapist cannot remain free.

3. Financial help for her basic needs and possible relocation. I cannot do this alone. I am barely keeping myself afloat.

4. Mental health support. A counsellor she can speak to for free. She is suicidal. She is spiraling. This cannot wait.

---

Read the full story

· The Harm Was Within All Along — how I found out.

· The Harm IS Within — how the family failed her.

· Ordinary Evil — my anger and my refusal to stay silent.

---

Please share this. Please help if you can.

If you are in Benin City or nearby and know a safe place she can go — speak up.

If you can apply more legal pressure — reach out.

If you can help financially — DM me.

If you know of free or low-cost mental health support — send me the details.

She cannot be the only one fighting.

---