When a Nigerian is raped... do not keep silent, help is available! (where to find it) #ABSUrape

Have you ever been raped by a friend, relation or stranger? Do you know someone who has? Do not keep silent about it. There are people willing to fight for you. Below is the contact information of some organizations that I know are working passionately for the cause locally in Nigeria. You can contact any of them for help:

1. Project Alert on Violence Against Women (PROJECT ALERT)- a non-governmental women's rights organisation set up in January 1997 to promote and protect the rights of women and young girls- Contact Address: 21, Akinsanya Street, Off Isheri Road, Taiwo Bus stop (Behind FRSC) Ojodu - Berger. Lagos. Telephone/E-mail:      234-1-8209387; 08052004698; 08180091072. Email: projectalert@projectalertnig.org. info@projectalertnig.org. ABUJA OFFICE:  26 Bamenda Street, Off Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3. Telephone: 234 -8708618.
2. Team WAR (Walk Against Rape) Speaking up for justice! Email: ijewereesther@gmail.com Telephone: 08057861285. 
3. Media concern Initiative for women and Children:Confidential Helplines are available 24hrs with staff on-hand to attend to your distress calls. Telephone: 08023331036, 08058207164, 08099522487. Address: 15A, Bolodeoku Crescent, Dideolu Estate, by Sweet Sensation, Ijaiye Road  Ogba, Lagos. Community Office:13 Anthony Otti Street, by Bolthine International Schools Off Akingbade Street, Baba Ijesha B/stop, Aboru, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos. Email: info@mediaconcern.net, helponline@mediaconcern.net, counsel@mediaconcern.net. 
4. Do you know any NGO in your local community with a similar mission? Drop their contact address in the comment box and I will happily add them to the list too, after verifying that they are legit! Thanks!

THE ABSU CASE WENT VIRAL

"Initially we thought it was a fake video, until someone identified the girl in the video as a student here," said Onyekachi Ndukwe, a final year Law student of the University (Daily Times report).

Last week, a video of a female student who was gang-raped by five men in August went viral after the story was published on Linda Ikej’s Blog and the video uploaded on NaijaPals.com. It was a very sad and disturbing story. The video itself tore at the hearts of most people who watched it. Although only 10 minutes of it was uploaded, it was reported that the ordeal took place the whole day with the men threatening to continue for two days if the victim did not co-operate with them. The young woman, looking helpless and confused, called out their names pleading but it fell on deaf ears.

The guys, sadly, are said to be students of Abia State University (ABSU). You could hear one of them boasting to be studying law. Which means, these were not some faceless hoodlums lurking in the dark of the night. They are vibrant youth who chose to express themselves in such gruesome way.

Someone got me thinking about the “ABSU rape” case from a different perspective. To jenniferize his words, it is a reflection of what bad governance is doing to Nigeria today and what we ourselves are doing to our nation with our apathy. Five men raped one girl, I bet she trusted one of them! Our government leaders that we trust gang rape Nigeria's resources everyday while the rest of us are outrage and trust the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to "search" for these “rapists” and prosecute them. Many individuals and organizations are standing up to fight for justice for the girl who was raped in ABSU. Some have offered as much as N200, 000 (+) for anyone with a lead to help identify the rapists. The tide of apathy is changing.

Meanwhile, although the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, denied that the incident took place at the school and state, claiming it to be the work of the enemy against his administration, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, urged the appropriate authorities to take action to ensure justice. The minister also pointed out that “the behavior of the perpetrators as decadent and barbaric; and believes the attitude of these men, if indeed they are young Nigerians, does not represent the character and nature of the Nigerian youth.”

He advised Nigerian youth “to remain focused and positive-minded, disclosing that his Ministry will soon begin to implement programs that will address their concerns.”

To rephrase one of his statements, although many rape cases take place in our society and often go unreported, perhaps the intensity of this lady’s case is to change the culture of silence that is often associated with rape. No woman deserves to be victimised and abuse.  

No doubt, many people would rather keep silent than report a rape case for fear of ridicule. But there are many organizations springing up to address this issue... do not keep silent, help is available!!

Sign the Petition on change.org! Bring The ABSU 5 Who Gang-Raped Woman in Nigeria to Justice

Do all you can to ensure that rapists are prosecuted for their crime and rape victims find help/protection!

More info about the ABSU Rape: Many media organizations and bloggers featured the issue prominently, here are a few links to get more details about the case- Linda Ikeji's Blog // Daily Mail UK, // Daily Times Nigeria// The Punch and NaijaPals.com  // AfricaMusicLaw (what the Nigerian law says)//  Sahara Reporters // OlamildEntertainment