Born: 1923 (Bandung, Dutch East Indies/Indonesia)
Died: 2019
Biography:
Jeanne Alida Jan Ruff-O’Herne AO (18 January 1923 – 19 August 2019) was a Dutch Australian of Irish ancestry and a human rights activist known for her international campaign against war rape. Born in 1923 in Bandung, in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), Ruff-O’Herne experienced the horrors of World War II firsthand when she was forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army. Her determination and bravery in speaking out against these atrocities have made her a prominent figure in the fight for justice and the recognition of comfort women around the world.
During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, Ruff-O’Herne and thousands of other Dutch women were sent to a prisoner-of-war camp in Ambarawa, Indonesia, where they were subjected to grueling physical labor. In February 1944, high-ranking Japanese officials arrived at the camp and selected ten single girls, seventeen years and older, to be taken away. Ruff-O’Herne, then twenty-one years old, was among the chosen few. They were brought to an old Dutch colonial house in Semarang, unaware of the horrors that awaited them.
To mark their first night in captivity, Ruff-O’Herne had each girl sign a small white handkerchief, which she later embroidered in different colors. This handkerchief became her precious secret evidence of the crimes done to us. Photographs of the women were taken on their first day and displayed at the reception area, allowing the soldiers to choose which girls they wanted. The girls were given Japanese names, all chosen from names of flowers.
Over the next three months, Ruff-O’Herne and the other young women were subjected to unimaginable suffering. They were repeatedly raped and beaten, enduring physical and psychological trauma every day. Ruff-O’Herne, however, did not succumb silently. She fought against the soldiers each night and even cut her hair to make herself less attractive to them. Sadly, her attempt to repel the soldiers only made her a curiosity to them.
Towards the end of World War II, Ruff-O’Herne and the other women were transferred to a camp in Bogor, West Java, where they were finally reunited with their families. The Japanese warned them that if they revealed what had happened to them, both they and their family members would be killed. Out of fear, many remained silent, including Ruff-O’Herne. It was not until several decades later that she found the strength to break her silence and demand justice.
In the 1990s, after remaining silent for fifty years, Ruff-O’Herne spoke out publicly about her experiences and became a prominent activist for comfort women and survivors of war rape. She courageously urged the Japanese government to issue a formal apology and shed light on the plight of other victims. Her story of survival became an inspiration to many, reflecting her strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable horrors.
Throughout her life, Ruff-O’Herne sought justice and fought for the recognition of the suffering endured by comfort women during World War II. Her advocacy brought global attention to this issue and paved the way for a greater understanding of the human rights violations committed against women in war. Ruff-O’Herne’s dedication to seeking justice and her commitment to raising awareness have left an indelible mark on women’s history.
Awards:
– Order of Australia (Officer)