LAGOS has joined the list of mega-cities of the world that have a special clinic for rape victims. As laudable as the project may sound, victims may not patronize the clinic because of stigmatization.
A recent study by the Medical Research Council stated that only one in every 25 women reports rape cases in most African countries.
Lagos State Government opened the Special clinic at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja because rape cases require special attention.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Social development, Dr Dolapo Enitan Badru disclosed this during the press briefing by his ministry in Commemoration of the third year of the second term of the Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola’s administration in the state.
He said it takes two steps to treat rape victims- after the medical treatment, she should also undergo psychological treatment by social workers to make her fit into the society, adding that neglect of psychological treatment could lead to unforeseen circumstances on the part of the rape victim.
The foremost reason many
incidents of rape go unreported in Nigeria is the personal humiliation of being
exposed as a victim of rape in a community.
Other reasons include the fact that the offender is often known to the victim and frequently a member of the victim’s family, many survivors lack access to services, fear of retaliation or intimidation by the perpetrator.
The possibility of negative financial consequences, particularly if the victim is a child and her family relies on the perpetrator’s income to survive and the extreme suffering that goes hand-in-hand with rape as a psychological trauma is another major reason. This is compounded by the stigma associated with rape and the fact that many people in Nigeria subscribe to myths and stereotypes about rape.
Other reasons include the fact that the offender is often known to the victim and frequently a member of the victim’s family, many survivors lack access to services, fear of retaliation or intimidation by the perpetrator.
The possibility of negative financial consequences, particularly if the victim is a child and her family relies on the perpetrator’s income to survive and the extreme suffering that goes hand-in-hand with rape as a psychological trauma is another major reason. This is compounded by the stigma associated with rape and the fact that many people in Nigeria subscribe to myths and stereotypes about rape.
Say “NO” To Rape and Sexual Violence – Walk Against Rape Nigeria
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