#VictimBlaming 101

The society we live in allows/promotes the stigmatization of rape survivors, which we believe is very wrong. Just like we have mentioned on various occasions, indecent dressing and drunkenness isn't an invitation to rape, therefore, it's time to get re-orientated. For the rest of the week, we will be posting pictograms with a message on #VictimBlaming 101. #BeEnlightened.

Rape: How Society Encourages Rather Than Limits It by Manuel Adesola

As a nation, one of the growing menaces to human co-existence, and at large peaceful relationship is the issue of RAPE. Nigeria as a country is not in isolation to this menace and no single person or family is. If you are not the victim, you will know one; maybe because the victim is a family or a friend. Perhaps maybe not so closely, but on the pages of papers and on tabloids you would read about such cases. Directly or indirectly, every issue of rape affects everyone. The trauma victims go through most times tend to make them unworthy of life. Thus, every potential in them, if care is not taken, tend to remain untapped and underused. Under-utilization of potential isn’t a loss of the victim or her family alone, but also of the entire world. The thought of a possible under-utilization of potentials and loss self dignity by victim becomes so painful knowing that perpetrators are not the serpent we saw in the book of Genesis in the bible, neither are they aliens from outer space, but people like you and I. So rape victims are humans and rape perpetrators are humans; both of whom live within a society. Who then is worthy to comfort a victim since those inflicting pains live in the same society with them and who should bring perpetrators to book?

The Worrisome Growth of Rape Cases in #Nigeria

One major definition or should I say characteristic of news that is etched indelibly in my memory is that “when a dog bites a man, that is not news, because it happens so often. But if a man bites a dog, that is news.” This characteristic, as I was told, explains the need to avoid publishing recurrent issues as headlines so as not to bore the reader. Events that are not commonplace attract more audience than daily occurrences.

Personally, recurring news don’t tickle my fancy. And I’m sure there are many people whose attentions are not drawn by news articles they’ve read many times.

For a while now, cases of rape and all forms of sexual molestations, especially on innocent little girls have become widespread. Times there were when such cases roused many discussions and made the banner headlines of our newspapers. However, with the frequency of such cases, I’m afraid they have been consigned to the category of “dog bites man”. Having been overly reported, they only attract little readership. People now dismiss such news with a shrug of their shoulders as they have become commonplace and deserve no second thought.

More worrisome and heartbreaking is the fact that bizarre cases where renowned clergymen have unholy relationships with their church members (read) and fathers molest their children (Also read) now constitute the bulk of these cases. These cases are published but most times, we don’t get to hear anything concerning their outcomes.

Will Castrating Rapists Help to End Rape in #Nigeria?

This topic is controversial but sounds really interesting and fascinates me a lot! How about castration being a punishment for rapists. Wouldn't it just make the world a better place? Lol!

Rape, a form of sexual violence, is a word no sane woman wants to hear let alone experience. Even as a man, I loath rapists with a passion which degree I can’t find enough words to describe.

There was a girl who needed much convincing to drop her plans to commit suicide following a gang-rape by 3 men led by someone she considered a “big brother.” Her pains I just couldn't imagine when she expressed her agonies and the deep seated anger against the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Her pains she said, was multiplied because she could not muster courage to report the issue to the police as she was sure the tide would be turned against her when the issue would get into full swing.

#RapeCulture: 14YO and Her Family Get Evicted from Their Home for Reporting a Rape Case

A 14-year-old girl who accused a high school football player of rape was suspended from the cheerleading squad and twice attempted suicide.

After a 14-year-old girl accused a popular football player of rape, she and her family were driven from their small US town and their house mysteriously burned down.

Daisy Coleman, the alleged victim, has been named in publications and broadcasts with the permission of her mother Melinda, in order to draw attention to the case, the Kansas City Star reports.

In January 2012, in the 12,000-person Missouri town of Maryville, Daisy Coleman reported she had been raped by a popular 17-year-old boy from her school. She told police she was invited to a party where she had so much alcohol she could not stand, and had sex with the boy. The incident was partly filmed by one of the alleged perpetrator’s friends on his phone.

Daisy’s best friend, aged 13, also had sex with a 15-year-old boy. She told police she went into a bedroom with the 15-year-old boy, who was an acquaintance. The case was handled in juvenile court, but the Star accessed police records of his interview, in which he said although the girl said “no” multiple times, he undressed her, put a condom on and had sex with her.