By Adedotun Aderoboye
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A Psychologist and Counselor, Bolatito Afun said deep-rooted cultural, religious beliefs and inadequate judicial system are contributing to the silencing of victims of sexual violence in Nigeria and emboldening those who perpetrate the crime.
She made this known in a interview with The Hope.
She said these were the reasons many victims who have been violated sexually in Nigeria are forced to remain silent about their predicaments rather than demand for justice.
Her words:”In Nigeria, people who have been raped are often made to feel bad about themselves and blamed for what happened. Deep-rooted traditional beliefs, misunderstandings and patriarchal rules make it hard for victims to get along with others.”
“The culture of victims getting the blame because of how they acted, what they wore or who they were with at the time continues. Not only do these views make it less likely for victims to report the crime, they also support the idea that victims should be the ones to carry the weight of their traumatic experiences.”
Afun continued that Nigeria legal system is not doing enough at the moment to ensure that victims get justice for the injustice that had been done to them.
She said “a big part of why rape survivors in Nigeria are treated badly is because of their culture and religion. Traditional practises like forcing people to get married to people who have raped them or giving dowries to the family of the victim keep people from getting help. Religious views that put more value on keeping family honour than on getting justice can also cause more people to be hurt. These things make the surroundings hostile for people, leaving them alone and without help.”
