By Sam Omotosho Esq.
Introduction
Rape is a terrible act, arguably the most terrible offence after Murder. The psychological trauma and negative effect it has on its victim is highly despicable and cannot be put down or explained in words. I will skip the definition of rape because you know that already.

I will also skip the statistics of how many girls, ladies or woman have been raped or get raped per annum. I am also aware that every lady (victim or not) knows a sister, cousin, friend, niece or neighbor that has gone through the traumatic experience of rape, child molestation, child marriage or any other form of sexual abuse. I will skip statistics and definitions because that is not the underlining issue.

The Underlining Issue

As at today, the 2nd of June 2020, Twitter is on fire with hashtags #JusticeforUwa #StopRapingGirls, #SaveTheGirlChild #StopRape and so on. It did not end on Twitter, Whatsapp and every social media platform has been occupied with the same News. This was provoked by the incident involving Uwa Omozuwa, a young girl who was raped and subsequently murdered. These posts convey anger, rage and pain from the female gender crying out to the opposite gender to stop this devilish act called rape or sexual offences generally. This is very understandable. The question that begs for an answer is, if that is enough? Do hashtags on Twitter or any social media platform change the fact that even as I type this write up there is the likelihood that a girl is being sexually abused? Does it change the fact that there is a possibility that while Twitter is buzzing with these hashtags another female whose voice cannot be heard is being sexually abused? Do you know what your house maid is facing? Yes, the house maid under your roof?. For the fear of being tagged a sexist, humans generally are sentimental; I do not see that as a weakness, I see it as strength if channeled in the right direction. If that is done we can easily address the underlining issue which is how raped can be reduced drastically.

The Possible Solution

Now you might need statistics.

In 2015 UNICEF reported that one in four girls have been raped. Two million Nigerians are being raped every year. CLEEN a NGO, carried out a statistics as far back as 2005, it reported that less than 1 out of 5,000 victims even report rape and sexual offence matters to the police, so there is no point discussing if the matter gets to court at all. People are clamoring for castration as punishment for rape, some are clamoring for the death penalty arguing that the life imprisonment sentence is not enough. We tend to forget that for any of these punishments would have to be dished out by a court of justice. How does this happen when the matter does not even go to court in the first place.

When you ask why rape or sexual related matters do not go to court the excuse is either that the victim is either too traumatized to speak up or because the victims always get discharged. For the former, times have changed. With the number of ladies speaking up about their travails and experiences openly on social media, it is time to drop the shame and go straight to court. I agree that the complexities tied to rape might make it difficult to prove and also having it in mind that for criminal cases generally, prove must be beyond reasonable doubts. However, where the accused is charged for rape, sexual assault, criminal assault and any offence that can be tied to the heinous act he is charged for, where he is not convicted for rape, there is a chance he might be convicted for any other sexual offence. The sincere truth is that for now the court, not social media, not street protest is the best bet.

I understand that a lot of people have lost faith in the judicial system (court), however we do not have a better choice?. Rape is hard to prove I agree, so do not charge for rape alone, charge for rape and other sexual offences that are easier to prove. Remember that the goal is not to convict for rape, the goal is to get justice. The social media will be more effective when you go to court and tell the world you are in court over that sexual related matter. Is going to court the solution? I will answer by saying that is the best step we can take for now. The press and everyone else say that it is hard to prove rape; statistics shows that rape matters hardly get to court. Remember that the Judge is either a victim, father of a victim, mother of a victim, brother, sister, uncle, aunt or even neighbor of a victim. Why then will the Judge be so bias as not to grant justice if truly the accused or defendant is actually guilty?. If there will be any bias, it will definitely be on the side of the victim.

Conclusion

Maybe it is time to change the hashtags to #LetsSueTheRapist, #LetsLockUpTheRapist #LetsGoToCourt. Taking a step is good, taking the right step is better. In the evergreen words of I.T Muhammad JSC in Isa v. State (2016) 6 NWLR (pt.1508) 243; “A rapist is worse than an animal, he has no moral rectitude. He throws overboard, the limits of his legal right and he can shamelessly, deprive another person of their God given rights of protecting the chastity and sanctity of their body and mind. He is all out to pollute such sanctity of their body and mind. …He is a cancer in the society what a shame.”

#ReportThatRapist

Contact: samuelomotoso19@gmail