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Gaya

Apparently, we can’t catch a break from the <a href="https://aura.ng/news/-click-share-repeat-then-what-ending-gbv-beyond-social-media">societal menace</a> that is rape. If you’re already thinking “not all men", you’re missing the point. And if you’re tempted to say “women should be more careful", you’re part of the problem. It’s simply horrific, insane, inhumane, and shouldn't exist in our society.

From 13-year-old Ochanya, who was raped repeatedly and eventually died from VVF, to <a href="https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/857281-trending-woman-alleges-rape-in-lagos-apartment-as-police-dsva-launch-probe.html">Mirabel</a>, who was allegedly tracked and raped in her own Lagos apartment on a Sunday morning, we’re almost beginning to lose count of the numbers. Beyond all the clamours for justice for the victims and punishment for the perpetrators, there are deeper conversations we ought to be having. If these victims must survive, we need to raise awareness about the immediate steps they should take. Here are a few:

Your safety comes first. Leave the location of the assault and go somewhere safe. It could be a friend or relative’s home, a church, mosque, or security post. If possible, call someone you trust to meet you.

Preserve evidence for when you report the assault. Albeit uncomfortable and traumatising, avoid showering. Do not wash or change clothes. If you have already changed, place your clothes in a clean plastic bag without washing them.

Go to a (government) hospital, ideally within 72 hours. Ask for emergency contraception, HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), STI prevention/treatment, and a medical report for legal purposes. If possible, samples of your skin or hair around areas of contact with the predator can be taken for DNA testing.

Go to the nearest police station or contact the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). File your case and submit your medical report and any preserved evidence you may have. Speaking out and seeking help is not optional; it's mandatory.

<b>5. Contact Support Organisations&nbsp;</b>

These organisations provide counselling, legal support, and medical referrals. Examples are <a href="https://mirabelcentre.org/contact-us/">Mirabel Centre</a> in LASUTH, Women at Risk International Foundation <a href="https://warifng.org/">(WARIF)</a>, and Stand To End Rape <a href="https://standtoendrape.org/">(STER)</a> Initiative, which are all committed to providing holistic care for sexual abuse victims while following the case to ensure justice is meted out.

Share this far and wide, especially with the women in your life. This is not just information. It's armour against sexual assault and violence. Let's raise <a href="https://aura.ng/culture/african-women-using-art-to-fight-for-gender-equality-in-2025">awareness</a> in our fight for a safer society. Together, we won't stay silent!

A practical survivor’s guide to what to do after rape in Nigeria. Medical care, reporting steps, and support services in the first 72 hours.


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