SOURCE Project Alert is a non-governmental human rights organization established in 1999 to protect and promote the rights of women and young girls in the society, especially their rights to live free from all forms of violence against them. Their areas of intervention are Research and Documentation (R&D), HumanRights Education (HRE) and Support Services Program (SSP) which includes legal aid, temporary shelter services for abused women, counselling, and skills acquisition training.
Project Alert, a non-governmental women’s rights organization, has been getting calls from people all over Nigeria reporting rape and asking them what to do. The organization decided to write an article that can guide people on what they can do in case of rape. According to them;
“These reports are just less than 1% of the cases we have to deal with everyday on issues concerning rape. From our experience we have realized that many people are still ignorant about what to do in a rape situation. People say there is a rape epidemic in Nigeria but the reality is that rape has always lived with us since time immemorial; we are only witnessing an increase in the reporting of rape cases”.
According to Project Alert, victims of rape should:
Be emotionally Supported: Victims must realize and be reassured that the rape was not their fault. Give a listening ear to the victim and don’t blame them, punish them or accuse them of lying.
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Preserve The Evidence: Do not shower, wash the clothes and underwear, brush your teeth, drink anything, eat, wash your hands, douche or urinate until after you have had a medical examination. Doing any of the above will destroy evidence (things that your attacker may have left behind, such as fibers, hairs, saliva or semen). Save all of the clothing you were wearing at the time of the assault. Place each item of clothing in a separate paper bag. Do not use plastic bags because the heat in them may destroy your evidence like semen. Do not clean or disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. This will be hard because victims want to shower and feel refreshed but it will help you get justice.
·Get Medical Examination: this is very important and must be done in a Government hospital. Only government hospital reports are admissible in court. Victim must be given access to Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection and this should be taken within 48 hours and is available at every government hospital. Morning after Emergency Contraceptive can be prescribed to greatly decrease the chance of pregnancy. Take a change of clothes to the hospital because they will need to keep the clothes and underwear worn during the assault for evidence. Read more on PEP
· Report to the Nearest Police Station: Reporting to the police is crucial in the quest to get justice and keep the abuser behind bars. Every time we lock up a rapist, we’re preventing him or her from committing another attack. It’s the most effective tool that exists to prevent future rapes. Victims should go to the police in the company of a trusted family member or friend.
·Get professional counselling for the victim. Counselling is the first step to recovery and victims need that to heal and transition successfully. Victims of rape are more likely to suffer depression, low self esteem, guilt, sleep disorders, insecurity etc.
follow them on twitter @Projectalertvaw and connect on Facebook: Project Alert on violence against women.
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