ADDRESSING RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS THE FOCUS OF TODAY’S VIEWPOINT. IT IS WRITTEN BY ESTHER ADEROUNMU, A STUDENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY, EDE, OSUN STATE.
Rape is often used as a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent.
Rape is a crime rooted in nonsexual motivations; tied to hostility, anger, and the need to exert power and control.
Most rapists view women as manipulative and exploitative.
A new data by United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, says more than 370 million girls and women alive today, experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.
The first-ever global and regional estimate on sexual violence against children reveals the scale of the violation worldwide, especially for adolescent girls, often with lifelong implications.
When ‘non-contact’ forms of sexual violence, such as online or verbal abuse are included, the number of girls and women affected rose to 650 million globally, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and support strategies to effectively address all forms of violence and abuse.
The data showed that sexual violence against children is pervasive to cut across geographical, cultural, and economic boundaries with sub-Saharan Africa having the highest number of victims.
Although more girls and women are affected, boys and men are also not left out.
An estimated 240 to 310 million boys and men have experienced rape or sexual assault during childhood.
This estimate rises to between 410 and 530 million when non-contact forms are included.
Survivors often carry the trauma of sexual violence into adulthood, facing higher risks of sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, social isolation, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression, as well as challenges in forming healthy relationships.
Evidence showed that the impact is further compounded when children delay disclosing their experiences, sometimes for long periods, or keep the abuse secret altogether.
According to UNICEF, sexual violence against children is a stain on moral conscience.
It inflicts deep and lasting trauma, often by someone the child knows and trusts, in places where they should feel safe.
UNICEF suggests that cultural norms that allow sexual violence to occur and discourage children from seeking help should be challenged.
Also, every child should be equipped with accurate, accessible, and age-appropriate information that empowers them to recognize and report sexual violence.
While every child victim and survivor should equally have access to services that support justice and healing and reduce the risk of further harm, governments need to build national data systems to monitor progress and ensure accountability by implementing international standards like the international classification of violence against children.
Strengthening laws and regulations to protect children from all forms of sexual violence, including in organizations that work with children, and investing in the people, resources must be put in place.
In conclusion, rape or sexual assault is always wrong no matter who commits it or where it happens, therefore survivors must not be afraid to get help, as not speaking out could be traumatic and affect them both physically and emotionally.
THAT VIEWPOINT ON ADDRESSING RAPE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE WAS WRITTEN BY ESTHER ADEROUNMU, A STUDENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT OF REDEEMER’S UNIVERSITY, EDE, OSUN STATE.
