By IFEOMA Ikem
The Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (APEF) has urged rape victims to speak up and seek help.
Prince Saviour Ichie, the founder of APEF said this during the foundation’s sensitisation walk at the weekend over the incessant rape cases in Nigeria which now occurred on a daily basis.
Ichie and the foundation’s Legal Officer, Miss Nnedinife Ojugbeli, used the occasion to create awareness on the increasing cases of rape in the country and the best preventive measures to apply against it.
Ichie said it is important to enlighten the populace not to hide rapes cases but rather speak up because it endangers the victims’ life, especially those living in rural areas need to be educated and taught on why they should speak up.
According to him, parents should let their wards know what sex is all about from as young as the age of 6.
He said it should be drilled into them that as soon as any person starts touching them in inappropriate ways, it is time to report them to their parents or guardians.
“Mothers need to always examine the children and should not delegate that duty to the Nannies or domestic staff, no matter how busy they are”.
He said his NGO offers support and helps to diligently prosecute any reported rape or attempted rape cases.
The human right volunteer warned that parents and relatives would be treated as accomplices if they are found aiding in any way to subvert the process of justice.
“My NGO has helped in getting Justice for no fewer than four rape victims.
” The challenge of stigma is one of the major problems in our society today, which clearly comes due to ignorance’’.
He therefore condemned the culture of silence around incidents of rape.
“Keeping silent is more destructive. It is when we speak out that our ordeals would be known and addressed.
” I will encourage victims to come forward, report any of these cases to us, whether it happened to you directly or anywhere in the neighbourhood. Call our attention to it. We are ready to help you get justice.
“Be warned, you may be treated as a criminal if in any way you help a rapist escape justice”.
According to him, `often times, relatives, religious and community leaders are found to be aiding and abetting rape by pleading with the victim to drop the pursuit of justice.
” This is a big crime in itself. Do not be found involved in it,” he warned.
The Legal Officer, Nnedinife Ojugbeli, also emphesised on the need for rape or domestic violence victims to speak out.
She warned sexual perverts to desist or face the wrath of the law.
“No stone would be left unturned by our NGO in the quest to get justice for the victims of sexual assault.
Protesters displayed placards with different inscriptions, some of which read; Stigmatise the Rapist -Not the Raped; Say no to Rape; Real men Don’t Rape; Say no to Rape; Rape is a Criminal offence; Rape survivors must be heard, no matter how long it takes; Rape affects all; Do not dehumanise the Raped or traumatise the rest of society and When a lady says no she means no not.