We must admit that our Senators have indeed been on their feet and kept their ears wide open to some of the lamentations and cries of Nigerians. At the National Assembly, which is the nation’s highest legislature, we have seen Senators lately pass bills related to sexual misconduct and other ills of society.
The Senators, on 7 July 2020, passed a bill sponsored by Senator Omo Agege, for an Act to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for other matters connected therewith. On 14 July 2020, they passed a bill tagged ‘The Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020’ sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu. This bill roots for life imprisonment for kidnappers instead of just 10 years maximum sentence. It also removes the time frame for prosecution of defilement or rape cases such that such cases can be visited, re-visited and probed at any time.
In this piece, we will look further at the issue of RAPE and the possible impact of what the Senators have done in their effort to curb the unwholesome, undignifying and damaging practice of rape.
When this bill becomes law, it means that reporting and prosecuting rape or defilement cases will no longer be limited to just two months. This can happen at any time a defilement or rape case is filed. In this bill too, rape is considered as an offence that can be committed against both females and males, hence no gender restrictions.
Very often, we hear cases of defilement and rape and they seem very distant until it hits home. We often do not think it will happen to anyone in our family, to our children or to persons we know. Yet, we know that whatever happens out there can’t be too far. The necessary awareness and precaution must be promoted and encouraged amongst us to ensure that it does not happen close home or right at home.
The effects of defilement and rape on babies, children, teenagers and adults alike is indeed long term and could take a lifetime to repair. Survivors live through the psychological trauma, the reoccurring memories, the low self-esteem and struggles to put their lives together on a happy, serene and peaceful path again. Hence, the removal of the statute of limitation (which was for just two months) is a move that is sensitive to the long-term effects of rape.
Anyone who has been defiled or raped need not be discriminated against. A child or adult male who survives rape or defilement needs not be stigmatized against. The experience itself is challenging enough and does not require name-calling, blaming, condemnation and insensitive statements.
Rather, the survivor needs to be supported to arrive at a place of inner serenity. This may include taking up the rape or defilement case in a law court, working through it during psychotherapy, talking about it, reaching out to raise awareness amongst others or by supporting other survivors.
In all cases, the guilt must always be placed on the rape perpetuator and not on the survivor.
There have been cases where a rape survivor may not have spoken about their experiences immediately or during the period it happened. For some reasons, the person may have decided to keep it quiet only to realize that it just does not go away like it never happened. And at that point, the individual may then begin to seek ways to address the issue that he or she may have kept silent over.
Even though rape survivors are advised to speak out when the rape or defilement happens, we do recognize that some time might pass before the individual feels ready or comfortable to take the necessary steps to get over the effects of the experience. In this light, it is a welcome development that defilement and rape cases can be prosecuted when the survivor decides to take that path.
The call is for citizens to be aware that much effort is being put into the issue of rape and defilement and so it is not just a personal challenge when a person is raped or defiled. It is the business of the government and the legislature to see that justice is done.
Recalling the Press Statement on Rape put out by SOFADONDO, an advocacy group that campaigns against Sex for Marks and Marks for Sex in educational institutions, it reads, “We demand a safe community for everyone. Women and men coexist and MUST create a safe place for one another to live in. … The war on rape is our collective responsibility and we must all rise to the occasion, to keep our society safe for all to live peacefully.”
Together we can!
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