Curbing Sexual Violence In Nigeria: Are We Doing Enough?

Editor’s note: This week Kofoworola Ayodeji, Naij.com constant guest columnist, decided to discuss a big issue bearing very damaging consequencies – the alarming rate of sexual violence in Nigeria. In a contribution to Naij.com platform he suggests practical ways through which this barbaric act could be nipped in the bud before it totally goes out of hand.

Just like corruption and the Boko Haram-orchestrated terrorism, sexual violence, notably rape, is a big threat to Nigeria. This week I have decided to take a short break from the latest political trends — ministerial screening, the “arrest” of Godswill Akpabio by the EFCC, and the trial of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki — to write about this issue that has somewhat become epidemic.

Many young Nigerians, mostly girls, are suffering in silence (I by no means suggest that boys are not affected as well), — they have been sexually assaulted, but do not have the opportunity to report it because they have limited access to justice. Most of the time they are either scared or ashamed to let the cat out of the bag because of the circumstances surrounding the heinous act. For instance, how can a daughter explain to the world that her father has been raping her since she turned nine? How easy is it for a little fragile girl to tell her mummy or daddy that her uncle or their neighbour has been sexually violating her? The effect is far reaching: it demoralises and psychologically tortures the victims. As a result, they lose their self-esteem, and this sets up a vicious cycle that continues for life if not broken. More devastating is the attitude of many Nigerians towards rape victims; the latter usually do not get the support needed to heal the trauma.

Rape is on the increase, please help!

Our culture has always projected rape more as a shame rather than a huge crime. I want to believe this is one of the key reasons why it has been paid little attention over the years. As a society we need to do more: we need to bring the victims out of this quagmire, we need to rescue them. It is common knowledge — at least within the past few month — that the fear of the EFCC is the beginning of wisdom for any potential looter of the public treasury. That is also true for terrorism: the fear of the Nigerian army is enough to make any potential terrorist run away. But what are the fears of a potential sex offender? I doubt if there are any, really.

In Nigeria sexual violence is growing more quickly and more extensively than one may expect. From inside the streets to schools, homes, offices, as well as many other places, this menace is spreading at an alarming rate. In a number of Nigerian tertiary institutions one or two cases have been reported — at least that of Afeez Baruwa, the University of Lagos lecturer, and Prof Cyril Ndifon, the dean of the faculty of law at the University of Calabar, who allegedly raped 18-year-old applicant and 20-year-old law student, come to mind — many are swept under the carpet.

Many people believe that indecent dressing is the main reason for this barbaric act, but I want to ask: what about babies, young boys and girls, who are being sexually assaulted? The truth is that this act, no matter what reason is given to defend it, is a serious crime, and needs to be treated as such. Personally I think the number of rape incidents, as well as other forms of sexual violence, is on the increase because the penalties for offenders are too liberal. The existing sanctions are not even properly implemented, so there is no deterrent per se for the potential sex offenders. Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past governor of Lagos state, also alluded to this fact during the screening procedure on the floor of the Senate: “I don’t know the last time a serious conviction was made for rape in any of our high courts.”

We can actually nip sexual violence in Nigeria in the bud

Although sexual violence is a global threat, however, different efforts are exerted to curb it in different countries. In Nigeria these efforts are at the lowest ebb. There are several Nigeria-based non-governmental organisations and individuals, who have become the voice of the voiceless victims of sexual violence. For instance, I aware of Mirabel Centre, Stand To End Rape initiative, and Dr Joe Odumakin. I am sure there are others too. Such efforts need to be doubled, if not tripled, and advocated by the various stakeholders — governments, lawyers and judges, police, citizens. Moreover, general public should be educated on the danger of sexual offences.

There is also the need to start educating children on sexual violence from primary schools, teach them various defence or rescue mechanisms that could be deployed during the attack. They should know what rape means, how it can be avoided, how they can be let off the hook when “caught”. Parents also need to do more by shunning the traditional system, in which sexual education is totally hidden from children; instead, they should arm them with the required knowledge.

Stringent laws including but not limited to imprisonment and registration of convicted sex offenders, their names, addresses, photographs in the national database, should be adopted and fully implemented so that the perpetrators are adequately dealt with. I know this has been said over and over again, but nothing tangible is happening yet. Nigerians need to stand up and demand for justice. This is how the war against sexual violence can be won.

Many victims of sexual violence have lost their lives, others have contracted various forms of deadly diseases. Only a few, I believe, have escaped and told their stories. We should not fold our arms while we are at war with sexual violence, otherwise this epidemic would grow out of the decent proportions, and anyone could be a victim — either directly or indirectly. Fellow Nigerians, let us begin acting.

Kofoworola Ayodeji for Naij.com

Kofoworola Ayodeji is a physiotherapist by profession, and by nature a writer and transformational speaker who is passionately involved in nation-building. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Naij.com.

Your own opinion articles are welcome at info@naij.com — drop an email telling us what you want to write about and why. More details in Naij.com’s step-by-step guide for guest contributors.

We’re ready to trade your news for our money: submit news and photo reports from your area using our Citizen Journalism App.

Contact us if you have any feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments. We are also available on Facebook and Twitter. Subscribe to Naij.com Opinion page!

The post Curbing Sexual Violence In Nigeria: Are We Doing Enough? appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.