Rape: A menace that must be eradicated

By Samuel Adelowo Ola

The pursuit of sexual pleasure and emotional happiness should never involve the use of force. Unfortunately, rape remains a pervasive issue in our society, despite efforts to combat it. The trauma and pain caused by rape can have long-lasting effects on survivors.
Perpetrators of rape often disregard the safety of their health, ignoring the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, HIV, and AIDS.
The emotional toll of rape on survivors should not be underestimated. The stigma and shame associated with rape can lead to feelings of degradation and low self-esteem. In some cases, survivors may carry these emotional scars for the rest of their lives.
To combat rape, it is essential to engage government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups. In Nigeria, agencies such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN), and non-governmental organizations like Stand to End Rape (STER), the Mirabel Centre, and FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) are working tirelessly to prevent rape and support survivors.
Preventing rape requires a multi-faceted approach that involves individuals, communities, institutions, and governments. At the individual level, education and awareness about consent, healthy relationships, and rape myths are crucial. Respecting boundaries, communicating effectively, and intervening safely when witnessing a potentially violent situation are also essential.
At the community level, promoting a culture of consent, supporting survivors, organizing community events, and engaging men and boys in rape prevention efforts can help prevent rape.
Institutions can implement policies and protocols, provide education and training, ensure safe environments, and support survivor services.

Governments can enact and enforce laws, allocate resources, promote national awareness campaigns, support data collection and research, and engage influencers and media to promote positive messages about consent and healthy relationships.
Ultimately, preventing rape requires a sustained and collective effort from individuals, communities, institutions, and governments. So, therefore, let’s all stand against RAPE.

Ola, an Educationist, and a Member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) can be reached at [email protected]