Rape is still widespread in third-world countries like Nigeria. There’s hardly a week when reports of rape, sexual assaults, and molestations do not make the news or grace the pages of newspapers. It’s even more horrifying when the victims aren’t only adults who are violently assaulted and raped, or sometimes even killed after the crime, but they are now minors, children, and teenagers! This is indeed very sad.
It has almost become—equally tragically—a routine, as if it’s normal. If they are not raped by a neighbour, it’s by the driver or guardian, or by gangs and hoodlums, and sometimes even trusted family members!
Sometimes it seems like we could just fill in the blanks: another rape has happened in a so-called neighbourhood, community, or state.
What’s happening here? How can we stop this? Are we going to accept that these incidents are now normal in our countries? Are we going to let the evil perpetrators win?
Honestly, the government and the police should do more; we need less talk and more action. The perpetrators of rape should be held maximally accountable and be made to face capital punishments with stiffer penalties and long prison sentences because delays in justice, inadequate punishments, and a failed justice system fuel crime.
Also, the government should build and establish more forensic labs and train more specialists and personnel. In most states in Nigeria, forensic science labs are basically nonexistent!
But, while we continue to hope in the government and technology, it’s also good that young people are educated on the strategies and defence tactics to help avoid sexual assaults and rape because parents can’t be there all the time! Being able to defend yourself can make all the difference.
In conclusion, immediate and extensive action is required to address the widespread problem of rape and sexual assault in third-world nations like Nigeria. The alarmingly high incidence of these crimes—particularly when involving minors—highlights how urgent it is to address the underlying issues and put workable remedies in place. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy, even though the government and law enforcement must play a crucial role in guaranteeing justice through severe penalties and enhanced forensic capabilities. A key element of this multipronged approach is educating and equipping the youth with self-defense techniques. Rejecting the normalization of such horrific acts and promoting a culture where responsibility, safety, and justice are the norm is essential to making sure that those who commit these crimes are held accountable and that the cycle of violence is broken.
To learn more about rape and how to deal with the trauma, you can read my novel on rape, titled Sparkling Glass.
Sparkling Glass is a thought-provoking tale about rape, survival, and justice. It is an interesting story about Naomi, a young and beautiful girl with great aspirations for the future.
At the age of thirteen, she witnessed her friends being gang-raped by some hoodlums in her village. And, sadly, as it turns out, at the age of seventeen, she herself becomes a victim of rape at the hands of a relative.
