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Tuesday, 18 November 2008 at 11:32

There is an alarming increase in rape cases. From Kano to Calabar, Lagos to Lokoja, Maiduguri to Markurdi, Enugu to Ekiti, rape stories jostle for headline spaces in newspapers and prime time bulletins on the airwaves. Even then, statistics have shown that less than 20 per cent of rape cases are ever reported, as most victims are often unable to face the social stigma that follows public knowledge of their ordeal.
Yet rape is a serious crime under the Nigerian Law. It is an extreme form of violence against women which dehumanizes, degrades and traumatizes the victim. Section 357 of the Criminal Code states: ‘Any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl, without her consent, or with her consent, if consent is obtained by force or by means of threat or intimidation of any kind, or by fear of harm, or by any means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or in the case of a married woman, by personating her husband is guilty of an offence called rape’.
Most rape victims are minors who are lured into the act by elderly men who may be complete strangers, neighbours, relations, or, in extreme incestuous cases, even brothers or fathers. Also vulnerable are girls that hawk wares on the streets and inner city alleys.
In some instances, the rapist indulges in the act just to satisfy his sexual desire, while some are for ritual purposes, where men are advised to have carnal knowledge of little girls for spiritual powers they claim ensure longevity or the attainment of their economic and political dreams. Some other rape victims fall prey to armed robbers’ antics.
Rape victims are susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, gonorrhoea, and even HIV/AIDS as the perpetrators are not likely to think of using any protective device during the despicable act.
But as heinous and abominable as this crime is, it is difficult to fight because of the country’s legal system and the attitude of some people. Not only are most rape victims unwilling to report the case, but parents of those whose cases are taken up by the police are also reluctant to press charges because of fear of social stigmas.
Also, the legal demand, in Section 179 (5) of the Evidence Act, for a witness as a proof of the offence, is a major hurdle to obtaining conviction in rape cases. There is usually no eyewitness to the crime of rape and this makes it difficult for the case to be proved.
In the fight against this crime, nothing should suggest that the same law is trying to protect offenders. Therefore, we suggest that the strict provision of the Evidence Act be amended to ensure that rape victims get justice. Also, as much as possible, female police officers must be assigned to handle rape cases, as male officers may not be sufficiently sensitive and sympathetic to the plight of victims who are courageous enough to report their ordeals to the police.
Even in instances where male police officers show some sympathy, most victims may not feel very comfortable discussing the intimate details of their gruesome experiences with the male officers.
Apart from prescribing stern punishment for the offence and removing legal hurdles in prosecuting offenders, the government should be in the forefront of enlightenment campaigns to acquaint mothers, young girls and all potential rape victims with the various methods used by rapists to ensnare them. Socio-cultural and religious organizations should also step up the campaign against rape. Parents should always ensure their young daughters are always accompanied whenever they go out either on errands or to play.
It is hoped that the Police has records of sex offenders. And it will not be out of place if the names and pictures of such depraved fellows are occasionally.

Yours in service To Humanity,
com. Sani Bala Shehu
civil liberties organasation( CLO)
northwest zone
p.o box 4054kano
+2348065872052. +2348080626852
+2348073400690 +2348045208685.
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