Rape: Descendants of Shechem on rampage

For those who are familiar with the holy book of the Christian religion- the Bible, the name ‘Shechem’ may not ring a bell. But it is apposite to state upfront that it is a name associated with a man with the dubious honour and inglorious record of being the first person, as recorded in the […]

For those who are familiar with the holy book of the Christian religion- the Bible, the name ‘Shechem’ may not ring a bell. But it is apposite to state upfront that it is a name associated with a man with the dubious honour and inglorious record of being the first person, as recorded in the Bible, to be conquered by lust and moved to sexually assault a female.

Put plainly, Shechem raped Dinah, the biblical Jacob’s daughter. But her brothers – Simeon and Levi- would not let it lie without giving a fight. They attacked Shechem, a city in Central Israel where Shechem lived, killed Shechem, his father and every male in the city. They went away with their women, children, their wealth and all they owned in the city that was Israel’s first capital!

Of course it was not the time of the rule of law and democracy. Though Dinah’s brothers’ conduct can be described as condemnable and atrocious, it aptly conveys the frustration and the extent families of victims of rape can go to express their anger when unchained by the law.

In Nigeria today, no day passes without one being served with unsavoury tales of rape that churn the stomach. Indeed rape in Nigeria has reached an epidemic level. From six-month-old babies to toddlers, teenagers to septuagenarians, it appears no one is insulated from the havoc the restless nozzles of the Rasputins on rampage across the country.

In spite of the ear-aching daily newspaper reports about the scourge of rape, the crime is arguably Nigeria’s most underreported crime. Victims are held down by a number of reasons ranging from fear, shame, threat to their lives and families by their tormentors, et al.

In a country where people are quick to blame victims of rape for their ordeal by accusing them of dressing indecently, or positioning themselves for rape, or simply accuse victims of making up stories for ulterior motives, it is understandable if victims choose to remain silent till thy kingdom come; especially when they have a slim chance of getting justice.

Recently, for instance, yours truly’s neighbour lamented how pained he was that a close friend of his was accosted and raped on her way to her workplace in the wee hours of the morning. But reporting the case was not an option for the victim and her friend. They were certain they would not get justice because of their zero confidence in Nigeria’s institutions. It explains why many victims would just place their tormentors’ case files on God’s table and just move on with their lives as if nothing happened.

It is heartening that Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, some days, devised an innovative way of dealing with the rape scourge when he announced that the state had resolved to name and publish photos of anyone found guilty in rape-related cases.

The governor matched his words in action in a tweet with the picture of one Reverend Asateru Gabriel of the Anglican Church who was convicted for raping a seven-year-old girl. It is the way to go -something other governors should emulate. We must begin to name and shame those who delight in subjecting fellow humans to lifelong miseries. They deserve no hiding place.

Beyond the lamentation that the rising wave of rape has provoked, it is about time we had special courts for rape cases to fast track quick dispensation of justice. Nigeria will also be the winner if we remake our laws to accommodate execution of perpetrators the crime.

Truth be told, having anti-rape laws is not enough. The Nigerian government must ensure enforcement of the laws to protect women against rape. Former UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on sexual violence, Margot Wallstrom was right when she quipped,” If women continue to suffer sexual violence, it is not because the law is inadequate to protect them, but because it is inadequately enforced.”

We must make concerted efforts to deplete the burgeoning population of the rapists(Shechems) among us.

 

Ladesope Ladelokun wrote from Ogun State via [email protected]