Let’s start national coalition against rape

What has become a serious source of worry to many Nigerians is the dehumanising, wicked, heartless and growing cases of rape of minors, girls, ladies and women in the country. Th ere is hardly any day that passes by that cases of sexual molestation, violence and crime, are not reported. Rape, the forceful canal knowledge usually of a female, is a serious calamity that can befall any female. Why is there an upsurge in rape cases in the nation? A gory statistics, according to the Nigeria Police Force, showed that the nation recorded 1,827 rape cases in 2015; 1,959 cases in 2014; and 1,788 in 2013. It is a common occurrence all over the world that girls, ladies and women are raped while boys and men are occasionally raped. Places where children are known to suff er sexual high assault include India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Nigeria has now assumed a top position among nations with severe incidence of rape. Perpetrators of these heinous acts are known to be directly or indirectly close to their victims, which make the attacks more troubling and agonising. Th ey are usually brothers, uncles, cousins, fathers, step-fathers and even, grandfathers. At times, I terribly feel ashamed of myself when I read of men raping minors, girls, ladies and women! Apart from the physical pain and bodily harm, victims of sexual assault are psychologically tortured, demoralised and traumatised. Not only that, they are vulnerable to unwanted pregnancies, sexuallytransmitted diseases, HIV/ AIDS infection and untimely death. Th e fate of a typical vulnerable African female child – rape, exploitation, cruelty, servitude and misery – in the hands of those that are supposed to be her confi dant, role-model, pillar of support and hope; is vividly illustrated in the “Faceless”; a play authored by the Ghanaian celebrated writer, Amma Darko. Let’s ask this question; why do boys and men rape the opposite sex?

While no specifi c reasons can be adduced for this, a review of the literature indicates that females are raped to satisfy sexual urge, to settle personal scores or form of vendetta, to perform certain traditional rites and as a result of the negative eff ects of drugs, among others. Some females have been blamed for seducing their male counterparts. Whatever may be the case, there is no rational justifi cation for rape. Th e stigma infl icted on rape victims often taunt them for the rest of their lives. A cursory look at how previous cases of rape were handled indicates that both pro-active and retroactive approaches should wholistically be deployed, to successfully wage war against rape. Th is time around, a national coalition against rape (NCAR) should be formed with immediate eff ect that would work together to fi ght a common enemy, as virtually everyone knows of one raped victim or another. Th e coalition should be duly registered and be made up of victims of rape, lawyers, journalists, students, nongovernmental organisations, wives of top government functionaries and other interested members of the public throughout Nigeria. Apart from rallies, protests and demonstrations that often take place in various parts of the country, corporate organisations, individuals and philanthropists should start talking, come together and sponsor a soap opera that would feature prominent Nigerian artistes that would be broadcast on major television and radio stations across the country for a number of weeks. Th is measure, I am sure would go a long way in touching the hearts of perpetrators, to desist from this evil. Without prejudice, I am aware that some nongovernmental organisations are already doing some good work on ending sexual violence against our female-folk; this idea being proposed is diff erent in the following ways from what they have been doing. Firstly, it a national cause. Hence, no single individual or corporate organisation is taking the sole credit for the initiative. Secondly, it is going to have more impact on the people considering the number of people that would be involved as artistes and offi cials as well as the huge funding that is going to be involved. Th irdly, it would have dual functionality by serving as corporate social responsibility project for some organisations, charity work for some individuals while proceeds from advertisements and sponsorships can be used to rehabilitate rape victims, sustain the transmission/ broadcast of the soap opera and conduct research on rape. Eminent and trusted personalities, across the country should manage the coalition under whatever nomenclature that is agreed upon. Religious institutions should do more and continue to reach out to their adherents during sermons, outreaches and societies on why boys and men should desist from raping minors, girls and women. Th e national assembly and the various state houses of assembly should ensure the passage of bills that would make it possible to practically conclude rape trials in courts and would ensure that severe punishment are meted out to perpetrators, irrespective of their status. We have to start doing something diff erently. People that are genuinely passionate about ending this scourge should come out now and make this initiative a reality by forming the national coalition against rape and tame this national embarrassment.

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