BENIN CITY – A University Don, Professor (Mrs.) Lucy Okukpon has called on the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency review upward the sanction for rapist in Nigeria, currently fixed at 14 years imprisonment so as to serve as deterrent to others.
Speaking on the topic: “Child Rape in Nigeria, A Societal Scourge: The way forward in The 21st Century” at the monthly seminar lecture series organized by the Institute of Child’s Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, yesterday, Prof. Okukpom urged Nigerians to “unite against the fight to eliminate child rape from our society in this 21st Century.
The resource person who is the first female Professor in the department of Adult and Non-Formal Education, University of Benin, however hinted that even though child rape is a global phenomenon and not peculiar to Nigeria as a nation, there is the need for Sex Education to be taught at all levels in Nigeria schools. While urging parents and guardians to protect their children from predator rapist who are always on the prowl, he also challenges them (parents) to monitor their children at all times and be knowledgeable about their where about.
According to him, he said 85 in1,000 women are raped at least once as a minor, with the average age of a first rape being 10.8 years.
He noted that 21 percent of rape cases occure between birth and age seven while 38.3 percent of rape occure between the ages of seven 7 and 12,just as she averred that 340.2 percent of rape cases occure between the ages of 13 and 18 years of age.
According to her, “It is sad and painful to know that most of these people children develop trust in, are the ones who hurt them most, particularly when they are raped”.
Giving the definition of rape to be forcefully having sex with someone against her wish or will, especially using violence, Prof. Okukpon disclosed that there is no age limit regarding rape as children, babies, matured adults, mothers, grand mothers and women over 70 years of age are raped or defiled recklessly.
She added that rape is an infringement on the rights of an individual, particularly children and could result in gross violation of the child’s rights.
Prof. Okukpon therefore identified some causes of child rape to include poverty, anger, sexual pleasure and insatiable urge for sex, while sadism, power, psychopath and unethical standards are other factors responsible for child rape.
In a brief remark, the Director, Institute of Child’s Health, Dr. (Mrs.) A.E. Sadoh said the monthly lecture seminar series organized by the university is part of the Institute’s mandate to disseminate information on Child’s Health to the general public.
Dr. Sadoh further hinted that the Institute is also involved in Research training with regard to Child Health while the papers delivered in the monthly seminar series are put into monograph for those who are interested in having hard copies.
