NAN-HG-15
Rape
Dutse, Nov. 22, 2016 (NAN) A Jigawa-based NGO, Voices for Justice (V4J), has advised parents of rape victims to report such incidents to the Police in their respective communities.
The Chairlady of the organisation, Barr. Aisha Jahun, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Tuesday.
“We always tell parents of rape victims that the first point of report should be the Police.
“This is because the Police are the institution responsible for taking up and processing justice on behalf of such victims by arresting, investigating and taking the perpetrator to court for trial,’’ she said.
According to Jahun, it is unfortunate for most parents or guardians of such victims to think that by keeping the matter quiet they are protecting the victims.
“Such parents, who keep mute thinking that they are protecting the rape victims from stigmatisation, should understand that they are not helping them.
“They are, instead, depriving them of their right to justice.
“They are also convincing the rapists that what they did was right since no action was taken against them, and they will continue to rape people,’’ she explained.
She said the organisation would continue to sensitise parents through the use of stickers, jingles and other materials to the need for them to open up and report such cases to the Police for appropriate action.
Jahun further warned parents not to wash the genitalia of their raped girls until the matter was reported to the Police.
She stated that it would enable health workers to confirm the truth or falsity of the situation when Police take the victim to the hospital.
She also advised parents, particularly mothers, to protect their female children by always monitoring their movement. (NAN)
MNB/CEO/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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