 |
| Image Credit: media2.intoday.in |
Wikipedia
puts it this way, “Rape” is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse
or other forms of sexual penetration perpetrated against a person without that
person’s consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse
of authority or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such
as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has a intellectual disability or
below the legal age of consent.
This write-up provides information and advice to help you make the right decisions
and get the support you need shortly after you are sexually assaulted or raped.
Go to a safe place:
The
first important thing is to leave the scene and go somewhere you feel safe,
such as the home of a close friend or family member.
If
you feel you're able to, you should consider telling someone you trust what has
happened. You shouldn't feel ashamed or to blame for what has happened to you.
If
you speak to someone from an organization, they will be able to give you
support and advice over the telephone. You don't have to give them your name if
you don't want to.
Try
to resist the urge to wash yourself or your clothes until you have decided whether
to seek medical help from a health centre or report what happened to the
police.
What
is commonly done to identify the culprit is that a specially trained doctor
will take samples of your saliva, urine, blood and pubic hair, and swabs from
your mouth, rectum and genitals and send it to a forensic laboratory for DNA
test.
You
can still receive treatment for any injuries, get emergency contraception, or
check for STIs and not have any forensic tests if you don't want them.
Lagos
State government recently approved the use of 112 toll free emergency line to
report cases of rape, domestic violence, defilement, child abuse, neglect and
other sexual assaults perpetrated in the state.
State
Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) set up by Lagos government said
they decided they provide the toll free line so that the victims of sexual and
gender based violence can have easy access to people who will help them and
also for member of the public who wish to report any case of rape or domestic violence
in the state.
Get Treatment:
The
increased rate of rape in our society is due to the fact the victims fail to
report the cases to the police or the relevant agencies because most times the
rapists threaten their kill them. Even if you are unsure whether to report the
crime to the police, it is advisable to get some medical support after a rape
or sexual assault. You may have injuries that need to be treated. It is also
advisable to get guidance about emergency contraception and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs).
If
you are a woman and have been forced to have sex without any contraception,
such as a condom, there is a chance you could become pregnant. Emergency
contraception, if used in time, can prevent a pregnancy occurring.
There are two methods of emergency
contraception. These are the: emergency pill (also
known as the morning after pill) and copper intrauterine device (IUD)
Emergency
pills are given as a single tablet to be taken as soon as possible after
unprotected sex. The use of the emergency pill is not recommended after 72 hours
(three days) because the chances of it working after this time are greatly
reduced.
The
copper IUD can be fitted into the womb by a doctor or nurse within five days of
having unprotected sex or the earliest time you could have released an egg
(ovulation). The IUD has a success rate of almost 100% in preventing conception
if fitted within this timescale.
To avoid been raped or assaulted:
1. Be
aware of your surroundings at all times.
2. Don’t
boost about your virginity.
3. Don’t
leave your drinks unattended to.
4. Keep
personal information private.
5. Always
dress decently.
6. Don’t
move with strangers or people you don’t fully trust.
7. Walk
like you know where you are going.
8. Don’t
be afraid to intervene when you suspect someone is about to be raped. Sticking
up for other people can go a long way toward preventing potential rape.
Always
remember “prevention is better than cure”
