What to Do After #Rape in Nigeria by Morenike Fajemisin (@Pharmacistreny)

Rape is one form of sexual assault and a terrible act that has defied understanding of the reasons of the rapist. It has also defied any of the ‘tips’ people give for helping future victims prevent it. Rape is when a person(s) has sex with an unwilling person. Sex should always be consensual, that is, it must happen between willing parties. Any sex with a person who struggles to escape you or lies there begging you to stop is Rape. Because most rape victims are women, I’d like to focus this article where the shoe pinches most. In most developed countries, there are (numerous) easily accessible Sexual Assault Referral Centers you can easily locate and run to for help but this is not the case in Nigeria. I hope to at least guide you through 3 steps that can help you avoid some physical scars so you can move on and be a survivor.

I am yet to hear if a rapist who used a condom and while there are just as many emotional and psychological scars as there are physical scars after rape, here are three DIY steps after rape.

Pregnancy As a Result of Rape: Will You Keep It or Abort It?

This issue has always been on my mind, but I just didn't know how to relate it. Even if you can't relate with this because you have never experienced it, you probably know someone who has. How then do we console such a person? Do we tell them "sorry" for the rape or for being victims of an unwanted pregnancy.

Getting raped is bad enough, having to raise a child as a result is more difficult. Most people at this point are forced to consider abortion. This may be because of the pressure from their parents to produce the father of the child or the stigma that comes from the society. We don't blame them, but is it the right thing to do? Why kill an innocent child for what he/she isn't guilty of. The world needs more vibrant leaders, how sure are you that your child isn't one of those?

Just what if during the abortion process you lose your womb or even your life. Who are you going to blame for that: the rapists, the unborn child or the doctor?  Most people have been victims of damaged wombs because they couldn't bear the torture of seeing a child, who reminds them of their ordeal. This isn't to say that this is an easy situation, however, you can make the best out of any circumstance, it depends on YOU. Which would you rather live with: that you killed a child, lost your womb and knowing that someone out there needs a child desperately or would you rather be positive and love your child. Just because you never wished to have a child through this means doesn't mean he isn't still a gift from God. If you can't bear to see the child that reminds you of your agony, wouldn't it be better for you to give that child a chance at living -- through adoption.