Domestic Violence: How Ethiopian Woman’s Husband Severely Disfigured (Graphic Photos)

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An Ethiopian woman has been left in severe agony, disfigured for life and her mouth melted shut, in a horrific acid attack by her estranged husband.

According to an eye witness report, the victim identified as Atsede Nigussiem, 26, from Tigrai, Ethiopia, had been at home at 11 p.m. on July 15 when she opened the door to her estranged husband Haimanot Kahsai, 29, and without warning, he allegedly poured a corrosive substance all over her face as her five-year-old son Hannibal Kahsai slept inside.

In agony, Atsede ran screaming into the street for help from neighbours, while her estranged husband fled. She was rushed to the hospital where doctors gave her emergency care for wounds on her face, chest, hands and legs.

Doctors recommended travelling abroad for long-term care and treatment so she flew to Bangkok, Thailand with her sister where burns specialists at the city’s Vejthani Hospital are now battling to treat her.

It’s been two months since the attack and Atsede is still in pain, her mouth has been melted together so she cannot talk, she is blind in her left eye and at severe risk of losing the sight in her right eye.

Regional manager Masha Zhigunova said Atsede “cries non stop” and cannot talk, eat or drink properly because her “mouth is melted together”. She eats and drinks with a straw and spends all day crying – one of the few things she can still do.

Masha said:

“This is a very difficult case. Atsede’s face will never be the same again. One eye is gone and the second eye is almost gone and her skin is all melted.

Even she has no idea why the husband did this. She reported this to the police but he had already ran away.”

Masha said that Atsede is being treated by Dr Sivat Luanraksa who is experienced in dealing with severe burns.

She added:

“Atsede requires debridement of necrotic tissue on her face and extremities. Secondly, she needs debridement and acellular dermal matrix grafting and thirdly, split thickness skin grafting.

Thankfully now she is in the best place with one of the world’s best doctors looking after her.

We’re all supporting her.”

Communicating in writing, the injured wife said:

“I don’t know why my husband did this. I was at my parents house late at night. I just opened the door and it happened.

I’m heartbroken and in pain.”

In the National Demographic and Health Survey in 2008, the study showed that domestic violence cuts across all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. 28 per cent of all women, almost a third of all women in Nigeria, have experienced physical violence, a significant number in a country of almost 160 million, where almost half are women.

Up to 43 per cent of women thought that wife beating could be justified on the grounds of matters like, burning the food; arguing with the husband; going out without asking permission; neglecting the children; and refusal to have sexual intercourse.

The statistics on domestic violence in Nigeria, according to National Population Commission (NPC) and ICF Macro 2009, Nigeria has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Africa.

The fight against Domestic Violence is a valid fight and must be taken up by every responsible adult in society. It is a scourge that should not be condoned or covered up but exposed so the law can take it’s course.