Lessons From the Murder of Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei

Intimate Partner Violence, Abuse, and Violence Against Women

Source: Mika Baumeister / Unsplash

The tragic death of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who was set on fire by a former partner, has drawn attention to the pervasive issue of intimate partner violence (IPV).

Intimate partner violence affects nearly 30% of women globally and encompasses a range of behaviors including emotional abuse, sexual coercion, and physical violence. It can occur in any relationship regardless of socioeconomic status​.

The Tragic Backstory

On September 1, Cheptegei was fatally attacked by her former partner, Dickson Ndiema, after returning home from church with her two daughters. Neighbors witnessed Ndiema pouring a jerry can of gasoline on Cheptegei before setting her on fire; the two had been arguing over land she had bought, and a house she had built on it, to be near a training center for elite runners. During the attack, one of Cheptegei’s daughters attempted to intervene but was also assaulted. Despite being taken to MoiNe Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries due to multi-organ failure on Thursday.

This was not the first malicious act between Cheptegei and Ndiema. Cheptegei had alerted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations about threats to her life before her death, including a prior police report in Trans Nzoia County due to stalking. Just days before her murder, another complaint was filed, but authorities failed to act in time.

“I blame her death on negligence by the government because the authorities should have taken it seriously when we first reported that this man was fighting her,” Cheptegei’s father lamented. ”They didn’t take any action to save her life.”

Not much is known about Ndiema except for a few details that have emerged since the fatal attack and through his semi-private Facebook account. Ndiema was not the father of Cheptegei's two daughters, and the pair had been separated for some time prior to the attack.

Ndiema's online presence shows his involvement in marathon running and interests in technology and electronics. Ndiema is currently hospitalized due to burn injuries he sustained during the attack.

The Cycle of Abuse

Abuse victims are typically trapped in relationships with recurring patterns of escalating tension and violence, possibly followed by their partner’s temporary remorse and periods of short-term reconciliation. In the tension-building phase of such cycles, the abuser becomes irritable, controlling, or verbally aggressive. This phase typically culminates in an acute explosion of violence. Afterward, the abuser expresses remorse. The partners enter a so-called honeymoon phase in which the abuser apologizes, promises to change, and temporarily restores calm.

The pattern creates a psychological trap for victims, one offering false hope that, this time, the violence will end. Unfortunately, the violence more often returns, often with greater intensity.

In many cases, the cycling of tension, control, violence, remorse, and reconciliation allows victims to become emotionally attached to their abusers despite the harm they endure. Periods of kindness reinforce a victim’s attachment, making it difficult to leave. The victim may rationalize the abuse or believe that the abuser is capable of change. Periods of control and coercion weaken the victim’s self-esteem, causing them to feel powerless and helpless. Cheptegei’s fate demonstrates that without adequate support systems, victims can remain unable to escape the violence they face until it reaches its most dangerous form.

Factors Increasing Intimate Partner Violence

Various factors contribute to the escalation of IPV. In many low and middle-income countries, economic instability, cultural norms, and patriarchal structures exacerbate domestic abuse. In these regions, economic dependence is an especially significant factor that traps victims in violent relationships.

But in a patriarchal culture, even wealth and fame do not insulate successful women like Cheptegei, who are vulnerable to abuse by partners who want to control them. In such communities, men are expected to control their land and households. Women who defy this dynamic may face severe consequences. This societal acceptance of violence against women creates a hostile environment in which victims cannot find the support they need. In Cheptegei's case, the community’s tolerance of her partner’s behavior may have discouraged her from seeking more aggressive intervention.

Why Victims Struggle to Leave

The psychological effects of IPV can be devastating. Many victims suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and other medical issues as a result of long-term exposure to violence. The cyclical nature of abuse, in which episodes of violence are followed by reconciliation, makes it emotionally difficult for victims to leave.

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Denial for the Perpetrator and Survivor of Intimate Partner Abuse

Cheptegei’s inability to fully disconnect from Ndiema mirrors the experiences of many IPV victims. Her family reported past abuse, but unfortunately help from their community did not happen. In similar cases, victims may also feel too paralyzed by fear and manipulation to leave. Such psychological entrapment, along with systemic oppression and lack of support, explain why victims often remain with abusers even when the violence escalates​.

The Broader Psychological Impact

The impact of IPV extends beyond the individual. Research indicates that IPV affects families and communities at the social and cultural level. In many patriarchal cultures, for example, the power that men hold over women often goes unchallenged. As a result, IPV is normalized, and victims are left feeling isolated and stigmatized for their experiences. The social pressure to maintain the facade of a stable family or avoid bringing shame to one’s community can discourage victims from seeking help.

Cultural and societal pressures likely compounded the challenges Cheptegei faced with her former partner. The reluctance of authorities to intervene despite multiple reports from her family is indicative of a broader societal failure to take IPV seriously. Cheptegei’s death underscores the reality that when systems and communities fail to protect victims, they perpetuate a culture in which abuse is tolerated and justice is denied​.

Conclusion

Rebecca Cheptegei’s death is a sobering reminder of the dangers of IPV. Her story is not an isolated incident but a reflection of the systemic failures that allow IPV to persist in many societies.

By understanding the psychological impact of abuse and addressing the cultural and institutional barriers that prevent victims from escaping, we can begin to create safer environments for women at risk. Cheptegei’s tragic death should serve as a wake-up call for governments, communities, and families to take IPV seriously and take action to prevent future losses.