Statistics
gathered by a human rights organisation, Partnership for Justice, has
shown that sexual assaults such as rape are mostly common in Oshodi,
Ikeja, Agege and Ketu areas of Lagos.
Managing partner of the group, Itoro
Eze-Anaba, said this in Lagos on Monday during the opening of the
Marabel Centre – a sexual assault and referral centre – located at the
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
She said the purpose of establishing the centre was to provide assistance for rape victims without divulging their secret.
She said, “From July to November 25, the
centre has offered free services to 124 victims who have been raped or
sexually assaulted in Lagos State. Our statistics show that majority of
the survivors of rape are children between the ages of 11-15.
“Children are more at risk of sexual
assault in Oshodi/Mafoluku, Ikeja, Agege/Oko Oba, Mile 12/Ketu areas.
The Mirabel Centre offers medical examination and treatment for illness
and injuries caused by sexual assault. We counsel to help cope with
emotional and psychological effects of rape and help in reporting the
incident to the police.”
Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof
Wale Oke, added that the centre would increase access to Lagosians,
whom, he said, suffer more from sexual assaults.
He said, “Victims of rape or sexual
assault may feel ashamed, angry, guilty, distressful and anxious. There
may be a disbelief of what has happened to them, and hence they need to
get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible.
“Whatever they feel is normal; they need
back their lives and must be committed to restoring it. Women in Lagos
have always been at the forefront of the liberation struggle, and we owe
an immense debt of gratitude to women for the instrumental role they
play in the polity.”
Chairman, Advisory Council, National
Human Right Commission, Abuja, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, emphasised that
those found guilty of sexual assaults should be punished.
“We must stop being silent and stop
negotiating certain boundaries in the name of family name or
friendship. Defaulters of sexual assaults should be severely punished
because we have to stop exposing our children and women to risk of rape
and other sexual assaults,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix
Ogundeji, urged Lagosians not to hesitate to report rape cases to the
police before evidences became vague.
“There is no police station that you
will report sexual assaults case to that won’t help you. All you need to
do is to ensure that you contact them early so the evidences can be
easily proven and justice can be well ascertained. You should know that
good evidences are required to excel in a criminal case,” he added.
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