Andrea's Story

Andrea* is an indigenous child from Central America who grew up with an abusive father. When she was 16, Andrea was raped by a man in her community at knife point. A short time later, the same man raped her again, at gun point. Andrea confided in her brother. Her brother confronted her rapist, who then murdered her brother and threatened to kill her. When Andrea fled to the United States, she discovered she was pregnant and terminated her pregnancy against her parents’ wishes. If she returned to her country of origin, Andrea would have faced imminent harm not only from her rapist, but also from her father for terminating her pregnancy. An asylum officer recognized the gender-based persecution Andrea faced and granted her asylum.

*Child’s name changed to protect her privacy.