What to do in case of rape - From Project Alert
Recently, Project Alert, a non-governmental women's rights organization, has been
getting calls from people all over Nigeria reporting rape and asking
them what to do. The organization decided to write an article that can
guide people on what they can do in case of rape. See the article
below...
“My friend just got raped by her tutorial
coach, what do we do?”
“I was raped by my neighbour, I told my
mother but she refused to believe me. What do I do?”
“My daughter was raped so I shaved her hair
and beat her up so that it won’t repeat itself and no rapist will be attracted
to her”
These reports are just less than 1% of the
cases we have to deal with everyday on issues concerning rape. From our
experience we have realized that many people are still ignorant about what to do
in a rape situation. People say there is a rape epidemic in Nigeria but the
reality is that rape has always lived with us since time immemorial; we are
only witnessing an increase in the reporting of rape cases.
Most families like
to keep it covered up and let abusers go free which has resulted to more rape
by the same abuser. How can you explain a case of a Father who raped all his
daughters and went on to rape his 15month old granddaughter? If such a man was
apprehended when he committed the first act, his other daughters, granddaughter
and other undisclosed girls would not have fallen victim.
When it happens in our neighbourhoods the
response people give are usually “if na me eh, person go die this night, if na
me eh, I go cut his thing, if na my sister eh, the thing wey I go do, I never
know am.” Before you think we made this up, this was the exact response we got
when a 10 year old was raped in her neighbourhood. All hands are on deck to end
this menace, more victims are summoning courage to speak up but it is not
enough. If every Nigerian knows what to do in case of rape, we would have less
rape incidence, less unwanted pregnancies and a decrease in the number of
people with HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
It’s normal to see people reading this who
would say, “Tufiakwa! God Forbid! It is not my portion! Back to Sender!” no one
ever wishes for rape but in case it happens around you this is what you should
do:
·
Emotional
Support: Victims must realize and be reassured
that the rape was not their fault. Give a listening ear to the victim and don’t
blame them, punish them or accuse them of lying.
·
Preserve
The Evidence: Do not shower, wash the clothes and underwear, brush
your teeth, drink anything, eat, wash your hands, douche or urinate until after
you have had a medical examination. Doing any of the above will destroy
evidence (things that your attacker may have left behind, such as fibers,
hairs, saliva or semen). Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the
time of the assault. Place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag.
Do not use plastic bags because the heat in them may destroy your evidence like
semen. Do not clean or disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. This will be hard because victims want to shower and feel
refreshed but it will help you get justice.
·
Get
Medical Examination: this is very important and must be done in a Government
hospital. Only government hospital reports are admissible in court. Victim must be
given access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection and
this should be taken within 48 hours and is available at every government
hospital. Morning after Emergency Contraceptive can be prescribed to greatly decrease
the chance of pregnancy. Take a change of clothes to the hospital because they
will need to keep the clothes and underwear worn during the assault for
evidence.
·
Report
to the Nearest Police Station: Reporting to the police is crucial in the quest
to get justice and keep the abuser behind bars. Every time we lock up a rapist,
we're preventing him or her from committing another attack. It's the most
effective tool that exists to prevent future rapes. Victims should go to the
police in the company of a trusted family member or friend.
·
Get
professional counselling for the victim.
Counselling is the first step to recovery and victims need that to heal and
transition successfully. Victims of rape are more likely to suffer depression,
low self esteem, guilt, sleep disorders, insecurity etc.
Over
to you guys, share your comments, suggestions, advice or questions with us
below.
Project
Alert is a non-governmental human rights organization established in 1999 to
protect and promote the rights of women and young girls in the society,
especially their rights to live free from all forms of violence against them.
Our areas of intervention are Research
and Documentation (R&D), Human
Rights Education (HRE) and Support
Services Program (SSP) which includes legal aid, temporary shelter services
for abused women, counselling, and skills acquisition training. www.projectalertnig.org follow
us on twitter @Projectalertvaw and connect with us on Facebook: Project Alert
on violence against women.
