Encomium
According to research and police reports, rape has been on the increase. The high increase has in fact, given a lot of people cause to worry, especially parents, as it seems under aged children are mostly the victims.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had a chat with more survivors who narrated their experiences in the hands of the beastly men. We also spoke with lawyers and human right activists on the chances of rape victims getting justice and what other stringent laws can be put in place to curb the heinous crime.
The Senate has, however, passed the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015 which prescribes life imprisonment for rapists and those who have sexual intercourse with children under 11. Some of the sexual offences captured by the bill include gang rape, lacing drinks with drugs with intent to sexually abuse, deliberately infecting partner with HIV and other diseases.
Also, “Culprits would never be employed in any institution where they may pose a risk to unsuspecting persons. You can see that the penalties are weighty.
We spoke to lawyers, activists if the punishment is enough.
This was corroborated by a legal practitioner, Barrister John Itodo when ENCOMIUM Weekly sought his reaction on the issue on Monday, October 19, 2015. He was also of the opinion that the punishment is weighty enough for the crime.
‘I had a daughter for my rapist’ – C. A. (20 years old)
How did it happen?
I met the guy while I was going to make my hair. He approached me, telling me that I wasn’t looking too good. He spoke to me as if he knew me. I told him I wasn’t feeling fine that I just wanted to make my hair. He offered to walk me down. We exchanged contacts thereafter.
He called me the second day to ask how I was feeling. After a couple of days, he called again. I was on my way to UNILAG to meet a friend. He said he was going to UNILAG also. That we should go together. I waited for him and we took a bus to UNILAG. When we got to Abule Oja, he said he wanted to see a friend that we should go together.
So, I followed him. We got to his friend’s place, he introduced him and the friend said he wanted to get him what he came to collect. That was how his friend left the house. The rapist went to buy me a drink. I declined but he started persuading me to drink it. I insisted I was not going to drink. I was surprised when he brought out a knife and insisted I should drink it.
I took the drink and that’s all. I woke up to realize that I had been raped and the guys were nowhere to be found.
Did you go for medical checkup?
No, I didn’t tell anybody. I was still a student when it happened. I just kept it to myself. I couldn’t say it out.
Why didn’t you tell anybody?
I was feeling bad because I felt I made a terrible mistake. I knew I didn’t act wisely. I couldn’t tell anybody.
What happened there after?
I became pregnant. I was writing my final year exam but I didn’t know I was pregnant. My friends noticed the changes in my body but I insisted there was nothing wrong. After I left school, I became sick and I was taken to the hospital. I had to do a pregnancy test. I didn’t even check the result of the test, I just collected it, took it home and gave my brother. He opened it and started abusing me, he told me I was pregnant. That was when I had to tell them what happened.
I wanted to get rid of the pregnancy but my mother stopped me. She had a dream that I passed on. My sister also had the same dream. So, I kept the pregnancy. I gave birth to a baby girl almost two years ago.
‘I was raped in one-chance encounter’ – C. O. (25 years old)
How did it happen?
I entered a bus around Cappa, Oshodi. I was going to Mushin. It was quite early between 5 and 6 am. After kicking off, I realized, it was one chance (a bobby trap). They collected all my belongings and raped me.
How many people in the bus?
I can’t really remember. I couldn’t differentiate who was who.
Did you tell anybody?
Yes, I told my friend about it but not immediately, like two weeks later. She advised me to go to hospital and I went. I had series of tests and it was confirmed that I was pregnant. I was advised to get rid of it since it was at its early stage. So, I did. What I am telling you happened like four years ago.
‘The law should be reviewed’ Barr. Fred Agabje
Do you think the sentence passed on rapist is enough?
The fundamental question is, is the government and security agencies ready to execute the law. Another issue is, are the
victims willing to come to court.
Why is it that rape victims don’t get justice?
It is true, rape cases hardly work out because of evidence. It is the case of one person’s word against two or more people. At times, it is a minor’s words against a grown up man. The judge may believe the rapist if the victim does not have enough evidence.
The law should be reviewed. It should be made a capital offence, no bail for a rapist unless they have medical issues. And it should be a medical report from a state hospital not just any hospital. Rape cases should be treated as strip liberty as well.
What do you think can be done to reduce high rate of rape?
Internal vigilance by women. Women should not dress provocatively too. Security agents should be alert in detecting rape cases and victims. They should be able to arrest perpetrators and take them to court.
In the case of a 70 something year old man molesting a minor, it means there is mental problem of such an individual. Such people should be in a psychiatric hospital.
‘Rape should be taken seriously’ – Barr. Josphine Odikpo
Do you think the sentence passed on rapists is enough?
It is not the sentence that is the issue, prosecution is the problem. Culprits don’t get prosecuted because the victim must prove
she was raped. In most cases, the way prosecutors treat the case usually discourage victims from going on with the case. Most of them drop the case along the way.
Rape should be taken seriously. The state should have trusted and competent hands that can handle the case. For instance, a police man could ask, how do you want to prove that you were raped, ‘open your private part make we see’.
That is a police man asking a victim. Some will even say There is no blood sef, how you wan prove say he rape you. You can imagine those questions.
Why is it that rape victims don’t get justice?
Like I said, victims find it impossible to prove they were raped. Giving evidence in such a case is not easy. At times, it is a little girl against three grown up men. That is why I said, it is not about the sentence but the prosecution.
What do you think can be done to reduce high rate of rape?
We are a community of human beings. While growing up, when there was a problem of armed robbery, the obas will start doing Oro and it worked. Robbery reduced drastically. The community should rise up to the challenge. They should be able to identify rapists during investigation. They should not hide the criminal because he is the son of a prominent man or woman. Rape cases will reduce.
The community should educate their boys to respect the woman’s body. They should know when a woman says no, she means no.
Religious leaders shouldn’t just say you will be addressed or treated the way you are dressed. Even if a woman dresses provocatively, they should know that it is still wrong to touch a woman without her consent. I am not supporting nudity, they should be disciplined and respect the female folks.
- SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN AND TINUOLA JOSEPH
