 |
Experts and civil rights activists have demanded that the relevant authorities unravel the alleged gang-rape of a female student of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu.
The gang-rape was filmed by the rapists and the video was circulated and finally made its way to the Internet. In the video, five men, identified by the names they called themselves as Zaki, Uchenna, Chisom, Wisdom and Ifeanyi (or Ugbaanyi), are also believed to be students of the university.
The partial identification of the perpetrators, however, has not hastened their apprehension; with school authorities insinuating that the incident did not take place on ABSU campus.
Current and former students of ABSU agree that such gang-rapes occur periodically in the university. “If a girl insults a boy and he wants to revenge, he can wait for her on her way to or from the hostels,” said a former student of the school, who did not want his name published.
According to the former student, the university authorities have not been proactive in tackling the issue, especially as victims rarely report the assault. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Chibuzo Ogbuagu, has reportedly denied that the people in the video are ABSU students; it is not yet clear how he arrived at this.
However, the federal government has stepped into the matter by directing the school authorities to investigate and apprehend the culprits if they are students of the university. Minister for Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, gave the directive on Sunday, adding that the ministry was prepared to assist the victim if she makes herself available.
And that, according to experts, is where the problem lies. The willingness of the victim to come forward and assist in investigations has been widely acknowledged as the swiftest way to identify and apprehend the rapists.
Rape and the law
Reporting a rape, however, does not automatically guarantee justice for the victim. “Rape laws are slippery and unnecessarily difficult to apply,” said Myani Bukar, a lawyer. “Basically, they are sexist. The burden of proof is on the victim and this is ridiculous. No woman who has suffered such a violent and invasive crime wants to relive her ordeal over and over through cross-examination.”
Both the Criminal (section 357) and Penal (section 281) Codes stipulate penetration as “sufficient” to constitute the forceful or fraudulent sexual/carnal knowledge necessary to the offence of rape. The Criminal Code (which is applicable in the south of the country) holds a broader interpretation of penetration by including penetration by “foreign objects”.
“It is so insulting to both men and women that women should be careful about how they dress and where they visit,” said Bukar. “This argument implies that men have no self control whatsoever. A rape is too deliberate an act to be taken lightly.”
Abia governor's wife reacts (Full text of statement)
The Office of Her Excellency, Mrs Mercy Odochi Orji is absolutely not oblivious of the current scandalous news making the rounds; alleging a rape case of a young woman and a student of Abia State University by FIVE male students.
The Office of Her Excellency, wishes to make it categorically clear that available report from the leadership of the University said that there was no such inglorious act and ugly incident in the institution.
His Excellency, Chief T. A. Orji, the Executive Governor of Abia State has investigated and refuted the allegation. However, we appeal that the victim should help by giving a lead to enable government bring perpetrators to book.
Her Excellency has been at the forefront of championing the course of womanhood and promoting the Girl Child Education, Kicking against Child trafficking and Abuse, Teenage Pregnancy and Child Labour, and would therefore stop at nothing to bring the perpetrators to face the long arm of the law if allegation is found to be true even if it happened outside the institution.
The report as a matter of necessity, justice and fair play should be substantiated with facts in the interest of our society.
Psychological impact of rape
When questioned on the reluctance of rape victims to report or even seek medical treatment, Dr. Ubong Etudo, a psychiatrist, gave the simple answer, “Stigma”. The doctor also elaborated on the psychological repercussions of rape, listing, amongst others, grief, acute stress disorder, post traumatic stress, and depression. He also added that suicidal ideation and sexual dysfuction can follow in extreme cases. There is also the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted disease including HIV.
According to the 2010 Stern independent review into how rape complaints are handled by public authorities, rape can occur in a range of circumstances. Those usually referred to as ‘stranger rapes’, the sort of incidents most often reported on by the newspapers, where the victim and the perpetrator do not know each other, are a small proportion of rape cases. Most rapes are carried out by someone the victim knows.
Vulnerable and powerless people are often the victims of men who identity them as easy targets and take advantage of their need for attention and affection.
Most rape victims would want to see the person who had harmed them convicted of a crime; but for many, they want to be treated well throughout the process, to be listened to, to be believed, to be kept informed. “It is probably more a need for complaints to be taken seriously than a punishment result,” a victim said. Survivors of rape say that if they are treated with respect and dignity they “can cope with an acquittal.”
Whether the rape is reported or not, whether the case goes forward or not, whether there is a conviction or not, experts believe that victims still have a right to services that will help them to recover and rebuild their lives. The criminal process is important, but getting support and being believed is as important.
still in need of some information? search this site:
LOVE THE ARTICLE ABOVE?
Receive Updates: subscribe to Imo Herald in a reader or sign up for Free Email Updates
No comments:
Post a Comment