‘I’m not alone’: survivors organise against sexual violence in Colombia

Despite death threats, gangs and guerrilla warfare, a network of women are determined to help others recover from rape and domestic abuse

Children now play football on the field where the lives of the people of El Salado changed completely.

In February 2000, about 450 paramilitary fighters stormed this small Colombian town. They forced people from their homes into the field, and began to play drums and drink alcohol stolen from local shops. They then went on to torture and kill. Yirley Velasco was one of those gang-raped. She was 14 at the time.