By IFEOMA IKEM
SEXUAL abuses and violence against women have been described as a commonplace occurrence in the country according to a study. Such abuses are said to be taking place in cities and rural areas.
Survey revealed, however, that in every 10 girls, three are subjected to one form of molestation or the other. It was also revealed that such abuses cut across both the minors and the elderly women alike. The spate of violence is astounding.
According to statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (Nigeria), over three million females are victims of abuses
In Nigeria alone, according to National Population Commission, (NPC), an estimated three girls in every 10 girls are victims of molestation, with the figure getting higher in our cities.
Unfortunately, majority of them hardly report such abuses to the law enforcement agencies or ready to fight to obtain justice in the courts of law. Some of the reason for not reporting stems from personal safety, stigma associated with such acts and the stress associated battling such case in the court despite access to public defenders.
A social activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, decried such attacks and violence against women in schools and homes are becoming alarming.
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In a recent campaign in Lagos with the theme: “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women,” Okei-Odumakin cried out over the alarming trend where girls and women are increasingly being attacked and molested in schools, homes, roads, public utilities among others and no concerted efforts by the government to help victims get justice
She lamented government lukewarm attitude saying it was time the government put a stop to the criminality that has led some victims unable to live comfortably in life as a result of the trauma and some committing suicide in the process.
National Daily gathered that such abuses could lead to psychological, physical and sexual harm for life depending on the quality of rehabilitation such victim is met to go through after abuse.
It was also discovered that most victims do not always speak up or seek help due to some stigma. She enjoined victims to speak up and not to wait until something terrible happen or wait till someone dies and bury her before the family start shouting or see the need to report the matter all over again.