STOP THE VIOLENCE: A Video that Explains it All

This is a poetic video explaining why we need to stop violence against women and its effects on women. This video was compiled by a group of young and innovative Nigerians for i2X media Company Limited. Thanks guys, this is is a great one! We hope you enjoy it.

Free At Last: The Concluding Part

We started this series and this is the concluding part of her story. For those who missed the first part, read it HERE. We hope you enjoy how the story ended.

After the well wishers had all gone and left us to enjoy our wedding evening, I slipped into the balcony with a bottle of wine, I didn't even bother with a glass. Settled on the chair at the corner, gazing at the birds, flying home as the stars began to make their appearance.

Life must be so easy for them, I thought as I sipped the wine absent-mindedly. Never having to worry about complicated relationships, love, hatred, fear, insecurity! Never having to wake up at night, screaming from a nightmare, almost every night. Never having the man they hate most for a father-in-law! I wished I was a bird, flying high, without a care in the world. As free as a bird. I felt the tear flow down my cheek.

I jerked as I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around in shock only to look in the eyes of my least favorite person. What was the mans problem? Could he not just stay away? Or better still, trip on the Ikeja express and be crushed to death by speeding cars? God help me but my life would be so much easier if he decided to just kicked the bucket! I'll even buy him the best coffin!

#Katsina: Sex Offenders to Get Life Imprisonment

We are sure you all have seen this. We just couldn't hold back on our excitement so we decided to post it. News reaching us is that, Katsina State House of Assembly have recently amended a section of the Katsina State Penal Code Law, which states that rapists/sex offenders are due to serve life imprisonment.

Nigerian News Desk reports:

The Katsina State House of Assembly has passed a law that prescribes life imprisonment for those found guilty of sexual assault.

The assembly, which amended Section 283 of Katsina State Penal Code Law, Cap 96 of 1991, stated that those found guilty of rape will serve life imprisonment and those found guilty of lesser sexual offences will serve terms of not less than 14 years in jail together with N50 000 fine.

The amendment also requires the offender to pay compensation to the victim.

Earlier before the passage of the bill, the sponsor, Rabiu Idris from Funtua Local Government, had said that the amendment was to ensure that rapists received severe punishment to serve as deterrent to others.

He stressed that the measure became necessary in view of rampant cases of rape in the state.

The Kastina State house of Assembly Speaker, Ya’u Gwajogwajo, directed the legal department of the house to prepare a clean copy of the law and forward it to the state governor for assent.

Earlier, the house had passed a law, which was signed by the governor, prohibiting homosexuality, lesbianism and sexual harassment in the state.

The law prescribed 14 years imprisonment on conviction and N10 000 liable for offenders.

Free At Last: The Tale of a Rape Survivor

I couldn't be happier. Yesterday, we were formally introduced to our families. Sam comes in to "thief fish" from the pot of egusi soup. He is so naughty. He hugs me from behind and whispers in my left ear, 'I can't wait for this to be permanent.' 'I can't wait either.' I say amidst chuckles. 'Thank God we don't have too long to wait anymore.'

'Yeah. Thank God. He must love me sooooo much he gave you to me.' I laugh even more. Sam and his sugar coated tongue.

The doorbell rings. 'I'll get it.' I say as I leave the kitchen. I rush to the living room to open the door. Blood drained from my face leaving me as pale as death. The smile on my face is replaced by a look of shock as recognition sets in. Cold shivers run down my spine and memories race in.

Man, 23, Held in Prison for Attempting to Rape a Nursing Mother

A 23-year-old man (name withheld) has been remanded by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates court yesterday, for allegedly attempting to rape a nursing mother.

Adebayo Lasisi, the Chief Magistrate, ordered that the accused be remanded in Ilesha Prison, pending ruling on his bail application.

The case was however, adjourned the case to January 14, 2014 for ruling in the bail application of the accused.

Leadership reports:

Earlier, the prosecutor, Solomon Oladele, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 1 at 9.30 a.m. at Oloja-Ibala Village in Osogbo.

Oladele said that the accused, who is unemployed, attempted to rape the nursing mother as he ambushed her and her baby on the way to the farm.

The accused assaulted the woman and gave her several blows with his fist in an attempt to forcefully have carnal knowledge of her, the prosecutor added.

He noted that when the woman resisted, the accused subsequently hit her with a hammer on the head, thereby inflicting injury on her.

He said that the accused fled when he saw the victim bleeding, pointing out that the offence contravened sections 359, 351 and 355 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol.11 Laws of Osun 2003. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Remegius Ngwu, counsel to the accused, applied for his bail but the prosecution opposed the application on the grounds that he may jump bail.

The prosecution argued that the crime was grievous and could attract a sentence of life imprisonment. 

Update: Two of the Six Men who Raped a 16 YO Girl in Akure, Paraded

Last week, we reported that six men believed to be cultists, raped a 16-year-old girl secondary school girl in Akure, Ondo State (read HERE). Sahara Reporters have updated with this video of two of the six cult boys arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The men, said to members of a cult group known as Blue Angel, saw the girl as she was returning from school, they stopped her, took her to their hideout and raped her. All six of them. They recorded the act with a mobile phone and threatened to post the video online if she told anyone what happened.

Fortunately she did and two of the rapists, Wale Fadahunsi, 28, and Banji Olaseinde, 25, have been arrested, while four others are on the run. Those on the run include Tope Oluwole; Tope Jigan and Muyideen. The two that were arrested were paraded a few days ago where they confessed to raping the helpless girl whose identity is being concealed because of her age. 

We hope they apprehend the remaining four heartless men that abused our angel.

Great! NBA Chairman Proposes Life Imprisonment for Rapists

The Chairman of the Ibadan chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Olusegun Abimbola, has advocated life imprisonment for convicted rapists. Great news you think?

Mr. Abimbola disclosed this to newsmen today in Ibadan.

According to him, rape has become rampant, and therefore, becoming necessary to impose a stiffer penalty on rapists.

Judge Finds German Woman Guilty of Raping Eight Pakistani Muslim Men

Hello STER readers, one of our readers sent this article to me. I thought I should share it with you (though it's not new) and yea, you will be startled! Come to think of it, is religion promoting rape? Read more...

In the City of Wassenberg in Western Germany a woman has been found guilty of seducing and raping eight men in the first case of its kind in Europe. Maria Heidelsohn aged 18 alleges that on the afternoon of August 23rd she was pulled away by eight men from the porch she was sun bathing on and carried into a small shed in which she was brutally and repeatedly gang raped. Heidelsohn alleges that she cried for help repeatedly until she was bound and gagged, she then claims that she was beaten severely and both of her arms and one leg were broken.

Wassenbeg Police Chief Abdullah Al Hussein contends that there is no evidence Heidelsohn did not injure herself or ask a friend to injure her in order to attempt to frame up her alleged attackers. The Police Chief noted that no male adult Muslim men saw the attack occur to corroborate her story despite the area being largely Muslim. In the large German town new legislation passed overwhelmingly last year stipulates that four adult male Muslim witnesses are necessary in order to corroborate any charges made by a woman in accordance with traditional Islamic jurisprudence.

When "Sorry" Isn't Enough by Abimbola Abiola

I've always wanted to write on this topic but was in need of a real case point for back up, anyway last weekend the case found me. Something happened in my neighbourhood. I followed it closely while it lasted and the end of it relates with this topic. As we all know, apologizing is hard to do. It's not fun to realize that you've done something wrong. It's not a great feeling to be told that you were wrong. It's not really that great to be wrong. But the reality is that we're all human, and we're going to make mistakes and when the time comes, I think that the ability to stand up and take responsibility for our mistakes and to say "I was wrong" is really important.

But, the thing about apologies is that they don't mean anything at all if they're not sincere. Now, a lot of times, particularly if you've really screwed up, the sincerity of an apology is going to be under question. After all, if you've made a major mess of things, there are likely some hurt and/or angry people questioning you and your motives. Which is to be expected. Part of making a sincere apology is realizing that people may or may not accept your apology. If you've hurt people, they're under no obligation to read your apology and say 'Oh, well then, that's fine.'

Wicked! 16 YO Girl Gang Raped by Six Cultists in Akure

Sorry peeps this is coming late, but for those who haven't seen it, this is an opportunity for you to. It's been reported that six boys suspected to be members of a cult known as Blue Angel, have allegedly gang raped a 16-year-old secondary school student in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The boys, who reportedly recorded the act with their mobile phone, while taking their turns on the girl, threatened to upload it on the Internet if she dares to report them to her parents or the Police.

However, two of the alleged rapists have been arrested by officials of the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, while four others are on the run.

The victim (names withheld) said that the six boys blindfolded her and threatened to rip her open with knife if she failed to cooperate.

Kidnapper | Rapist Caught With an Eight YO Girl Bleeding Through Her Private Part

A Report has reached us from IReporters TV that a suspected rapist in Lagos met his waterloo when he was accosted early yesterday morning by an angry crowd.

The man was said to be making an attempt to sneak away with an eight-year-old girl who he had just raped. The girl was reportedly bleeding from her vagina.

The suspect was intercepted along with his victim at about 8 a.m. yesterday around Akogun Street in the Olodi Apapa area of the state.

An eye witness said that the victim is in hospital presently undergoing treatment due to injuries she sustained from the rape.

The residents of Olodi Apapa were angered by the incident and they took justice into their own hands by beating the kidnapper half to death.

Watch video HERE.

What Are You Saying to Children?

My post is actually something that's been rolling around in my mind. Nowadays, at least twice every week the media reports the brutality, and dangerous behaviours faced by children. Many children are being abused in the worst possible manner. On top of that, one of the things that really hit me is how openly some people (parents inclusive) express their hatred of children. They are generally seen as a group that is okay to hate.

I've been trying to figure these out on-Why is it that children are being abused? What is it about children that such people tolerate so much bigotry towards them? Now children are the most radically disempowered group of human beings in the world.

Cross-culturally, they have no political power, their daily lives are completely out of their control, they are surrounded by people three times their size and strength who rule every aspect of their lives, unlike any group of adults in this culture, they can be legally struck, and any possible redress they have against abuse requires them to find an adult who will help them. Would any reasonable human being not throw the occasional temper tantrum in such a situation?

'I Fought for My Life… And Won' by Habiba Olawale

This is of those write ups that will get you wanting to read to the end. This is another beautiful article from the stable of @abdulhabiba12. If you've missed some of her write ups, read them HERE, HERE and HERE. We hope this inspires other rape survivors. Read more...

I was gang raped 15years ago, when I was 13 years old.

Ever since that day 15years ago, I have been intensely aware of the misconceptions people have about rape, about those who rape and those who survive rape. I have also been aware of the stigma that attaches to survivors. Time and again, people have hinted that perhaps death would have been better than the loss of that precious“virginity.” I refuse to accept this. My life is worth too much to me.

'How I Raped Teenager to Death,' Culprit Confesses

This will definitely shock you peeps. The police (making us proud right now) has apprehended the culprits who raped a 12 YO girl to death. The victim was once declared missing by her parents, was raped to her untimely death by some heartless men you will read about shortly. One of the suspects actually lured the deceased to his house, raped her and dumped her remains in a well. How wicked human beings are! Read more below and also see photos...

The Police in Imo State, recently, rounded up the brain behind the death of a 12-year-old girl, Ifunanya Favour Iberi, who was declared wanted two months ago by arresting a 34-year-old man identified as Samuel Chukwunyere. Police alleged that the suspect was responsible for raping the teenager to death and dumping her lifeless body in a deep well.

The missing little Ifunanya was last seen by members of her family on Sunday, October 13, 2013, when she could not return to their house after her day’s routine activities. Apparently worried by the scaring development, her parents immediately alerted the Imo State Police Command. Their passionate appeal to the Commissioner of Police, Katsina was very simple. 'You must please, assist us find our missing daughter.'

'It Can Only Get Better,' says a Survivor

Hello everyone, thanks for always taking time out to visit our blog. For those of you who are familiar with our #SpeakOut sessions with various survivors such as @Abdulhabiba12 (read HERE) and @Smartsensitive (read HERE), you would have noticed that we've been posting inspirational and educative/nformative articles they themselves have written (read HERE, HERE and HERE). This is from @Smartsensitive, we hope it ministers to you.

Writing has always been my passion. For a long time after I got raped all my creativity was stifled including my voice. I couldn't wake up in the morning and smile, I used to drag my body out of bed and look dowdy everyday and be like, 'at least no one wants to rape me now.' That's one of the signs of abuse; you could say some of it was PTSD. It is a form of depression army or marine offices sometimes get after being in the war. You could say rape is a kind of war, you deal with the after effects afterwards, one thing you know is that you want to get better, you just don't know when your emotions will get back in place. If I can get better, I know that you can.