Stand Point

Rising cases of rape of minors in Kwara; sad narrative

 

With Joke Adeniyi-Jackson

With the bizarre happenings in recent time, many are wont to believe the end time is here; that the world will soon come to an infinite end. These stories that touches the heart, brings to fore grim reality of the absurdity that is fast undermining morality in all sense of it. Or how does one explain the cases of rape of minors that has become rife lately? The situation has been further aggravated by cases of incest in which fathers have been alleged of having canal knowledge of their under aged daughters. As observed most often the alleged rapists are close family relatives and neighbours. Recently, there was the report of a teacher in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, Paul Olawale who allegedly put his teenage daughter in the family way. A similar case was that of a commercial motorcyclist in Ilorin, Oladimeji Adegboyega, who confessed to have raped his 16-year-old female child for three years, an act which he alluded to generational curse. Also pathetic is the case of a middle aged man, Abdulrazaq Garuba who reportedly defiled his neighbour’s five-year-old girl.
The growing rate of reported rape cases of minors in Kwara State is becoming unacceptable.  This ugly trend has continued unabated because these cases have been treated with levity. They seem to have grown in frequency because our institutions are not addressing these crimes by dealing with the perpetrators It is quite unfortunate that the punishment meted out to rapists is not in any way commensurate with the gravity of the offence. Most times the offenders get what could be described as a slap on the wrist judgement even when they are prosecuted. It is saddening that the society is yet to come to terms with the fact that rape is one of the most traumatising forms of violence against children. The affected minors are subjected to long term physical, emotional and psychological trauma. It is even more disturbing when it is perpetrated by someone in whose care the victim is entrusted. Most of the victims are sexually abused by people who are supposed to protect them.
It is worthy of note that most cases of rape go unreported. There is always a conspiracy of silence over the issue. And, keeping quiet after rape of minors may just be one very good reason why the crime is on the rise. Though some parents of victims decided to keep mute for fear of stigmatisation and lack of confidence in the institutions that should champion their cause. There is also the problem of unwillingness of parents of victims to pursue their cases to logical conclusion because of the delay in prosecution.
With child rape on the increase there is the need for urgent steps to be taken to curb the malaise. First of all, people must come to the realisation that rape is a crime that needs to be punished because a rapist is a criminal. Apart from the trauma and injuries sustained in the process, it should be understood that rape is a gross violation of the fundamental human and natural rights of the victims.
Therefore, it is incumbent on government and concerned authorities to do more in protecting Nigerian children. First, the perpetrators should receive a sentence commensurate with their offences. There should be stiffer punishment as against what currently exist in laws. The law must not be lenient with rapists so as to deter perpetrators in the society. More stringent measures should be taken by all levels of government against culprits
One aspect that is neglected in this clime is the rehabilitation of victims with the aim of helping them to handle trauma arising from such crime. There is the need for affected children to be properly rehabilitated to help them from the trauma. The victims deserve to have their dignity restored and well integrated back into the society.
With pedophiles on the prowl it behooves parents and guardians to protect children from unconscionable predators who are messing up innocent lives and getting away with it in this part of the world. There is need for children to be accorded close supervision and proper attention to prevent unscrupulous elements from taking undue advantage of their vulnerability.
The law enforcement agents and the judiciary must live up to their responsibilities and quicken the dispensation of justice as it is believed that justice delayed is justice denied.
It is incumbent on the state government to ensure the Child Right is properly domesticated and implemented in Kwara.
There is need for stakeholders to speak up vehemently against rape of minors and the society must show zero tolerance to rape of any sort.

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