The Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVRT, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, has raised concern over rising incidence of rape in the country.
While assuring that efforts were tirelessly on to yield fruits, Vivour-Adeniyi said investigations have thus far revealed the major cause of rape and other forms of sexual assault.
Speaking with the Punch, the Coordinator said, “Many, for instance, think that ladies or women who dress skimpily, provoke men into assaulting them but alcoholism, rather than women’s dressing, pushes many offenders into rape.
“The DSVRT conducted a research among rape offenders and the result showed that 80.9 per cent of the inmates were abused in their childhood, implying that they had become sexually active at an early age. This illustrates the trend of ‘abused abuser’.
“Eighty-nine per cent of the inmates are always under the influence of alcohol, while 10.9 per cent were under the influence of hard drugs.
“None of the inmates sampled said they were aroused by what their victim wore. This further debunks the myth that mode of dressing is a ‘reason’ why people rape.
“One of the challenges in tackling the menace is that many victims do not speak out. One of the steps our team has taken is to open a channel on the DSVRT website where victims can lodge their complaints even when they do not want to appear physically.
“The team comprises top-level representatives of agencies such as the Nigeria Police, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Public Defender, Directorate for Citizens’ Rights, Mirabel Centre, Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Health, Education, and Youth and Social Development.
“This is working as individuals can now report cases online and, most importantly, chat with psychologists who are available to provide psycho- social therapy.
“The DSVRT provides coordinated response and collaboration among professionals working to end gender and sexual-based violence in Lagos State. The response to SGBV menace requires a holistic approach.
“Consequently, the manner of response is not limited to handling of cases, but rather expands to proposing policies, driving sensitisation and awareness, and ensuring quick dispensation of justice,” Vivour-Adeniyi added.
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