A lot has been written about incessant rape cases in Nigeria. Individuals and human rights organisations have not relented in calling for a stop to this bestial act.

However, one will not get tired of speaking out as long as the incidence of rape in the country keep shooting up. There are numerous cases of rape and even gang rape in Nigeria. Some are reported, while many go unreported for certain reasons. A very disturbing case recently took place in Ogida quarters in Benin City, Edo State, when three robbers reportedly raped a 25 year, old woman in her husband’s presence.

According to the report, the three young men between the ages 22 and 25 years, stormed the victim’s house at about 3am, collected her money, handsets, recharge cards and other valuables and took their turns to rape her right in front of her husband whose legs and hands had been tied and pushed under the bed. Not even her pleas and cry could save her.

That same night, the same suspects reportedly attacked another house where they met a 60 years old woman whom they attempted to rape but were moved by her tears. But they spared her after reportedly fiddling with her private part.

These are just some examples which go to show that many women in Nigeria, both young and old are daily being subjected to sexual abuse. Rape used to be a matter that was hushed in whispers or rumours because it belongs to the realm of forbidden acts and was indeed uncommon. Even our folk tales are full of stories of how the gods visited any man who violated a woman through rape with incurable diseases or sometimes death. What then is happening now? Recent report indicates that rape cases in the country have reached an alarming proportion.

Rape cases are featuring as a recurring decimal in public and private places, including the ivory towers, hitherto insultated from menacing rapists. The reported case of serial raping of a student of Abia State University is still fresh in our minds.

A particularly horrible case was reported some months ago about the alleged raping of an old woman over the age of 70 years in Opi, Nsukka local government area of Enugu State, by young men. The shameful act led to a mass protest by women in the area. To underscore the seriousness of the problem, prominent female indigenes of the state gathered hundreds of people at a prayer ground in Enugu to seek God’s forgiveness.

Of all reported rape cases, the most worrisome is the raping of innocent children by adults. The social media and national dailies are awash with stories of kids being raped by men old enough to be their fathers and grand fathers in different parts of the country. Research shows that between 2008 and last year, police in Kano State dealt with over 60 cases of child rape and over 60 related arrests.

The growing case of rape can be considered a consequence of parents’ neglect of their roles to their children. Many parents have abandoned their duties of imparting morality to their children and wards. They are so busy with their material pursuit that they don’t know the kind of company their children keep. Some even close their eyes and ears to whatever their children do or say.

A preacher once attributed the rampart incidents of the criminal acts to the attitude of parents towards sex. According to him, some parents no longer consider sex as sacred. Sex is supposed to be a secret act but some parents, particularly those living in very tight accommodation, make public show of the act even in the watchful eyes of their children.

He cautioned that parents should know the right time and place to discuss sex or engage in the act in order not to corrupt their children’s minds, emphasizing that children copy more of what they see and not what you tell them.

Parents should also show more interest in the affairs of their children, know the company they keep, educate the girl-child on dangers of rape and the places to go so that they are not caught up in the menace.

But even with the best sex education, much change cannot be achieved if our teenage and young women continue in their current dress culture. A situation where they put on cloths that expose parts of their bodies can be very dangerous. It takes only men who are totally in control of themselves to resist the temptation of their bodies.

Proper, decent, responsible dressing is advocated if one must avoid the danger of rape.

The menace could also be curtailed if children stop are made to parading streets and communities in the name of hawking pure water, oranges, minerals and all manners of commodities. As the preacher rightly advised, parents should engage their children with sacred things instead of allowing them to spend all their time watching violent movies.

Some experts have blamed the rising cases of rape on lack of effective implementation of Nigerian laws against rape. They say the entire evidential burden placed on victims make it difficult for them to pursue the path of justice, hence the law should be reviewed. In a recent presentation, the wife of Ondo State Governor, Mr Olukemi Mimiko said, the laws against the menace should not remain only in the statute book, but be made more efficient and effective as great numbers of Nigerians know little about government laws on rape.

Criticizing the Nigerian government for what she called a lacklustre response to rape cases the Executive Director of Woman Advocates Research and Documentation Center said, “Nothing has been put into action. Our laws are still not clear. The woman who wants to report rape does not have the confidence in the justice system in Nigeria.

She emphasized the need for immediate steps to create laws and institutions that protect women.

It is also advisable that the lawmakers in Nigeria should act to stem the ugly incidence by reviewing the laws on rape to give more protection to victims.

Federal, state and local governments, ministries of women affairs and women groups should see the  issue of rape as a challenge which they must face in order to restore the dignity of women in the land. They should take up these cases and offer all necessary assistance to the victims.

For the fight against rape to be won, parents, teachers, religious institutions, non governmental organizations, the media, government at all levels and indeed every individual must rise up in condemnation of the social malaise and take positive actions to curb the menace.

Calista Ezeaku