Funke Busari
The Federal Government has been urged by a group Inanna Women Empowerment Foundation, IWEF to bring to justice perpetrators of sexual violence in the country.
The foundation which provides legal and other forms of aids for victims and survivors of sexual violence aligned with conversations around getting justice for victims and punishments for perpetrators.
The call was made during the commemoration of the International Day for Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflicts held on Friday by stakeholders working to end rape in the country.
The Chief Executive Officer, CEO, IWEF, Mrs. Funmilayo Akinremi who hosted the event via a Facebook Live Chat advised the government to intervene to stall the menace through legislation of relevant laws.
In furtherance of how victims can be assisted, Akinremi explained “Let stop victim blames and support anyone who comes to you and inform you that she has been raped.
“Let’s also act fast by seeking medical attention first, this goes a long way when it’s time for the case to be prosecuted, she hinted.
Mr. Solomon David, the Executive Director Hope 360 Initiave, working in Maiduguri blamed the increase in cases of sexual violence in the North East even in Internally Displaced Persons, (IDP’s) camps on poor livelihood.
In his view, “Most girls are vulnerable to sexual violence because the means of livelihood is very poor in the IDP camp, so men around the camp including security agents take advantage of those vulnerability to commit the act.
He added, “The case of rape is on the increase, because those involved feels no one can hold them responsible, considering these girls are only IDP’s and have no one that can stand for them and they feel these girls are ignorant of the law.
According to him, “We have over 65% women in the camp and 35% are young teenage girls that are falling victims on daily basis, adding that “10 women on daily basis are falling victims of sexual violence in the North East.”
Agev Msendoo, the Founder, The Strong Women and Pace Setters Foundation, TSWOPS, familiar with the plights of sexual violence and who had survived sexual attack advocated that victims are not to share any blame of rape.
Though she claimed, “The situation is almost inevitable for victims but said energies are being directed to their recovery in her organisation as it partners therapists, counsellors and victims to ensure that the victims do not begin to blame themselves for being victims or speaking up.”
Meanwhile, IWEF CEO stated it is supporting rape victims and survivors all the way with its Big Sister Hotline initiative (BSH), a program established to render free legal assistance to victims of gender based violence in Nigeria.
She said, “We established the program in the Universities for students on Campus who are facing similar challenges.
“We are dedicated to helping the victims and survivors understand how important it is to get justice and support them legally, medically and emotionally throughout this journey while respecting the survivors’ privacy and their right to make their own decisions.
“Sexual abusers are held accountable; likewise, people in a position of authority, who fail to protect those in their care, are held responsible for what happens on their watch.
She however said help can be sought for on 0800BIGSISTER, to report incidence of rape or any other sexual violence act.
