Wednesday 21 December 2016

MOKWUNYE .F. BEATRICE : PORNOGRAPHY IS THE CAUSE OF RAPE IN NIGERIA





Rape has gotten out of hand in Nigeria. The same way women, in different region, give birth on a daily basis; rape is reported in different parts of the country every day. In fact, National Dailies are now incomplete a day without publishing a rape-case. Imagine, a 30-year-old man attacked, raped and impregnated a poor 12-year-old girl in Ado-Ekiti area of Ekiti State. Consequently, the innocent girl, an orphan, dropped out of school. According to Sun news report, a gang of young men deceived, raped and eventually murdered a middle-aged salesgirl in Ughelli North Local government, Delta state.

Likewise, on first October, 2016, the National Mirror reported a case of 19-year-old girl. The lady was raped and video-recorded by an ‘okada’ rider who, eventually, claimed to be her boyfriend. According to Daily Trust publication (October 27, 2016), Kaduna state Police command arrested a man of 32 for raping a girl of 14 until she fell into coma. Can you also imagine? An innocent pregnant house wife, 22-years-old, was repeatedly raped right inside her matrimonial home in Kano State.



These are like a drop in the ocean compared to thousands of cases recorded monthly in Nigeria. But what exactly are the underlining causes of rape in Nigeria today? Shall we blame it on indecent dressings and other similar factors well known to the populace? Well, before making further judgment, let us also examine these two cases:
A woman left her two-year-old baby at the custody of a close-door neighbor in Abia State. Hours later, the baby returned weeping and bleeding from her pubic region. The poor 2-year-old was raped by a 65-year-old man. Similarly, at Oshodi—Lagos, 28-year-old tailor, identified as Itua took a 2-years-old while her mother went to urinate at their backyard. He fingered the baby and eventually tore her private part (Vanguard). Presently, she is at the Lagos State University Teaching hospital (LASUTH). Based on these facts, it will be quite parochial for us continually blame victims for contributing the lion share of the heinous act—rape is not a victim’s fault, but the perpetrator’s. And the perpetrators successfully carry out the act because of the wide-fired resources exposed to them.

 Virtually all Nigerian men and young men watch pornography in no less than 5 times a week. Surveys conducted on Nigerian porn consumers confirmed. A social media analyst, Subomi Plumptre, revealed in an interview with on BNTV that Nigerians search for pornography more than USA—the World biggest porn consumers.
An online portal, naijaporntube.com also conducted a survey last year. The survey reported 85 percent views, visitors and major downloads are Nigerians. Mr. Okonta, the site’s chief executive stated: “Although, we frown at porn in Nigeria, Nigerians watch the highest porn sites daily. From Lagos to Sambisa forest, they all watch it.” To justify his claim, Mr. Okonta added, “Let me give you statistics from when I started 3 years, seven months ago. Since then 7million users visited the site apart from 90million page views.” This is pure evidence that virtually all Nigerians watch porno even down to 7-year-olds.

“Yes, we watch porn, but what has that got to do with rape?” A practical question from potential detractors! But the record is clearer than a filter paper. Even a layman will admit the stimulating effect of pornographic films on his libido.
 A rapist interviewed by Beneke 1982 said: “I went to a porno bookstore and saw a porn movie. It was a guy coming from behind a girl and attacking her and raping her. That’s when I started having rape fantasies. When I saw that movie, it was like somebody lit a fuse from my childhood on up…I just went out and raped.” Just like alcohol, pornography is addictive and intoxicating. Every single obscene image captures the brain, the body and the soul. They set the body on fire, paralyze the conscience, and mount a hell of pressure on the viewer, compelling him to “go out there and practice” what he had seen—with whomever, wherever, and however.
In 1983, John Briere and Malamute carried out a survey on 356 male college students. The students were asked: “If you could be assured that no one would know and that you could in no way be punished for engaging in the following acts, how likely…would you be to commit such acts?” The researchers listed two sexual acts: one, forcing a female to do something she didn’t want to do and two, “rape.” 60 percent of the students indicated that under normal circumstances, they would rape, use force or do both.
Recently, a 13-year-old boy was sentenced for raping a 9-year-old in United Kingdom. “The youngster, who also sexually assaulted two other boys aged seven and eleven was found to have searched online for gay rape, gay porn, and gay porn rape” (Mirrors.uk).
 Ariel Castrol, a convicted kidnapper and sexual offender disclosed that sexual problems and his addiction to porn had “taken a toll in his mind.” Also, between 1991 and 2006, John Xydia pleaded guilty to 25 counts of rape and 61 counts of indecent assault. John later revealed to have seen himself as some sort of porn star.

What more do we need to depict the disastrous and intoxicating effect of pornography on rape, especially in Nigeria? Neurologists and psychologists have shown that images register faster and longer in the brain and stimulate impulse; they stimulate the nerves and tissues of body to “do what you’ve seen!” And now, rapists, themselves testified to it: pornography induces rape. In fact, the best way to describe their relationship is in the words of Robin Morgan: “Pornography is the theory; rape is the practical.”
Rape is rampant in our society. Every day, women and girls lose their pride and dignity to this monstrous act. Some die in the process. While others live in pain, trauma and guilt all their lives. According to research, the major cause of rape is pornography. And Nigerians now watch more pornography than any other nations—research shows. According to experts, it is nearly impossible for a man to control his libido after downloading every scene in a pornographic film into his brain. At this juncture, it is obvious: in order to quell a smoke, we must first remove the firewood responsible for the smoke. That is the same we must do now! If we must end rape in Nigeria then, let us join our hands together and fight against pornography.

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