Beauty Queen Launches Foundation for Rape Victims

Ms Ezinne Akudo, Winner of Miss Nigeria 2013, has described sexual violence as a crime against humanity and infringement on the rights of the victim, who carries the psychological trauma for life.

Akudo, 24, said this at the formal inauguration of her project — the Eight Foundation Rape Crisis Centre — in Lekki, Lagos.

“We live in a world where women are abused daily and are unable to speak up. One out of four women experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. This crime can take place at any time and can happen to anybody. Sadly, the society’s response to this heinous crime has led victims to believe that silence is the best option.

“This is why I have decided to set this centre to provide change for women and girls, who are victims of sexual violence,” she said.

Chioma, a human rights lawyer and director of the foundation said that the centre would provide hospital-based management protocol in the form of medical care, counselling, rehabilitation and legal help.

“The centre will provide free services in the areas of crisis response, medical care, counselling, rehabilitation, and legal help as well as advocacy and education on sexual violence.

“The foundation is in strong partnership with the Lagos State Office of the Public Defender for legal services, the Domestic and Sexual Violence response team and the Mirabel Centre for forensic testing,” she said. Nwigwe decried a situation where parents of the victims of rape usually shy away from reporting the case for action and called for a change of attitude.

Also speaking, Mrs Omotola Rotimi, the director in the Office of the Public Defender, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, said that reports in the media showed that rape and other forms of sexual violence were on the increase and had become a source of worry to many Nigerians.

“Lagos State was credited with a figure of 132 rape cases in 2013. It may just be a tip of the iceberg, given the utmost secrecy with which cases of rape and other incidents that have to do with sexual abuse are treated.

“This is why we are partnering with this foundation to assist victims and help them outlive the trauma that comes with sexual violence,” she said.