By Benprince Ezeh

PROMINENT Nigerians have joined voices in raising awareness against the dangers of rape and sexual assuaults in the society, urging victims to promptly report such cases to appropriate authorities where they can get help immediately.

At the launch of the book entitled: It’s My Decision” written by Ogechi Alabi, on Tuesday, June 19, John Edozien, a governorship aspirant on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Pat Utomi, professor of Political Economy and management expert,  Uche Ekwueme of the Nigeria Bar Association and Itoro Eze-Anaba,  founder of The Mirabel Centre, called on Nigerians speak out against indecent assualts, sexual harrassement and molestations and other gender-based violence in their respective communities.

Edozien said, “Looking at the judicial system of the country, people tend to lack interest in pursuing rape cases because they believe they will not get anywhere. There is need to strengthen the nation’s judicial system” to tackle rape cases judiciously.”

“Real men don’t go about raping women. Rape is such a terrible thing that people who engage in it should never go unpunished. We need to help victims not to feel the stigma,” he said.

Similarly, Anaba said that: “When a rape incident occurs, it puts the victim in prison forever. We all have the responsibility to drive rapists out of our community. They belong to the prison. Eighty-five percent of survivors report that they are raped by acquaintances. The youngest victim we have come across in SARC is a four-month-old child, while the oldest is a 70-year grandmother.

“Most of the survivors find it difficult to tell their stories. Sometimes, it takes a victim a week or even months to tell the story the exact way it happened.

“That is why it is advisable not to ask the survivor the ‘why’ question. Let them tell you the story when they want to. It is best you don’t help the survivor say the story, since it is not your story; always believe what they say.”

In a question and answer section, Ekwueme said from legal perspective, “they see rapists as people suffering from mental or psychotic disorder, drug abuse victims and alcoholics”

She also said that, “law does not regard rape if they are no real penetration, adding that “any rape victim should first of all go for medical check up before reporting to the police.”

Also, Professor Utomi, said: educating children at home about the effect of rape is very important, adding that schools need to create a programme that will enlighten children on this.

According to him, “There is also an urgent need for a media campaign on this evil act. It is a grievous act and whoever is found wanting should face the retribution without any sentiment.”

Ogechi, who is the author of “It’s My Decision” said that her interest in writing was fired up when she came across Tony Harrison’s word: “If there is a book that you want to read and it has not been written yet, then you must write it.”

According to her, in writing the book she was conscious of Robert Force’s admonition: “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader, no surprise from the writer, no surprise from the reader.”

Ogechi said that she has been a writer for many years, writing articles and commentaries inspired by Jude Igbaba and Joel Ijeze on social media. “I was writing a love novel and it was going really great until I met a lady at the saloon

“A rape incidence has occurred and she shared her experience. She just came back from the United Kingdom when she ran into a secondary school mate which she has not since for over 13years.

“They exchanged numbers, he invited her to his house, she didn’t feel threatened by him and honoured the invitation. Unfortunately, he believed that her coming was an invitation to treats. She refused his advances and he took it by force.” Ogechi said

“When she explained how she handled her situation, I knew it will make for a great read. I took down all of what she said and made a story and reacted as well by creating a scene as it happened, so that people can put themselves in the shoes of the victim.

“I took Selason Morgan’s advice, “If you can tell stories, create characters, diverse incidence and have sincerity and passion, it doesn’t matter how you write,” She said.

According to Ogechi, “I intended to write three episodes on my Facebook page, instead I have 565 of the book: It’s My Decision. Part of the book where posted on social media before I stopped and concluded.”