Mitigating Spiraling Rape Cases And Paedophilia Challenges In Nigeria -By Sandra Ijeoma Okoye

It is not an exaggeration to say that few weeks ago, specifically in February 2022, when the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) held its second local government town hall meeting in an attempt to address the rising cases of domestic and sexual violence across the state, that many people were taken aback as the social challenge was inexorably worrisome.

The meeting which was the second community engagement this year took place at Ajeromi Ifelodun local government on the 22nd of February, and its theme was “It’s on us to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence”. It was designed to heighten awareness about domestic and sexual violence amongst members of the community, inform them of the provisions of the laws and support services available for victims and survivors.

Addressing the gathering, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi reiterated the need for all participants to see themselves as mandated reporters, charging them that if they see something, they have a duty to say something and do something.

Vivour-Adeniyi added that this year, DSVA is more committed to ensuring that the declaration of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu’s zero tolerance to all forms of Domestic and Sexual Violence, is attained.

On his part, the Executive Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, who was represented by the Vice-Chairman, Hon. Lucky Uduikhue assured participants of the local government’s zeal and desire in ensuring all relevant stakeholders, collaborate to rid Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA of the menace of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Also, Mrs Adeola Birch of the Youth Adolescent Friendly Centres, Ministry of Health, in Lagos state popularly referred to as “Hello Lagos!” as well as ASP Itunu Faremi and Inspector Folasade Ajayi, Officers in Charge of Festac and Ajegunle Family Support Unit respectively, enlightened participants on issues related to SGBV, informing them of community resources available at their disposal.

The meeting had in attendance over 300 stakeholders drawn from community Development Councils, traditional rulers, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Community Development Authorities, Market men and women, religious leaders, community leaders, artisans, captains of industries as well as other relevant stakeholders.

The toll-free line for reporting domestic and sexual violence cases (08000333333) which was inscribed on memorabilia was distributed to all participants.

Recall that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency commenced Local Government Town Hall Meetings on Sexual and Gender-based Violence in Surulere earlier in the February, 2022. As gathered, the town hall meetings would be held in all the LGAs and LCDAs across the state.

The most worrisome aspect of the somewhat sexual pandemic is that it has in the recent times taken the trajectory of paedophilia, which is a growing social challenge, particularly in Festac town and its environs. Though Public Opinion has fingered a particular tribe as being responsible for this unscrupulous acts so much that the relevant state authorities would not have the foggiest notion of it, but this writer in this context refrain herself from commenting on such unverified allegation, even as it seems the assertion is lost in the nation’s carnal abuse statistics.

As gathered, a resident of Festac Town admitted that those from the Northern extract of the country were alleged to be responsible for raping under-aged females but further enquiries on authorities say they did not have any information on paedophiles majorly linked to any particular tribe. One of the officials said, “We are (in the dark) as we don’t have such information, but we will try and investigate how authentic such information is”.

“We don’t know if it is a growing problem. We have no profile of the abuser to determine if they are paedophiles or from a particular region of the country,” she added, while declaring that her office was concerned about every single case of child abuse.

Considering the fact that the data revolution has begun, it is expedient to recall that Amnesty International recently reported that 11,200 rape cases were reported last year, including children raped to death.

Despite the foregoing frightening statistics, and despite the Nigerian authorities’ declaration of a “state of emergency” on sexual and gender-based violence, rape still persists at crisis levels with most survivors denied justice, rapists avoiding prosecution, and hundreds of cases of rape going unreported due to pervasive corruption, stigma and victim blaming.

At this juncture, it is expedient to advocate that the government protects minors from sexual abuse by leveraging the advantage that is inherent in the law related to sexual abuse.

In fact, in recent times, rape incidents have been on the rise in Nigeria so much that statistics says, one in every four girls would have experienced at least one form of sexual assault or the other by the time she is 18 years old. The rate is no doubt disturbing, and makes rape an epidemic in Nigeria.

Nevertheless, the country’s laws are not helping at all and it is important to note that most rapists go unpunished. Worrisomely, there is a state in Nigeria where the punishment for rape is either one year imprisonment or an option of N2, 000 fine; this is terrible.

In view of this, there is a need to strengthen the punishment for rape in Nigeria. Without any scintilla of exaggeration, there is no punishment that can be said to be enough to fully deter rapists in Nigeria, but personally, I will not hesitate to suggest 20 to 30 years’ imprisonment for rapists in Nigeria. Rape is cruel and brutal; it causes physical, mental and emotional damage to the victim as it is a terrible crime that should not be tolerated. Be that as it may, the government should protect children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.