The
Mirabel Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital says that a
total of 997 rape cases have been treated in its two years of existence.
The
Centre Manager, Mrs. Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai, said this when the Commissioner
for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, visited the centre
on Tuesday.
The
manager explained that the centre was in charge of the rehabilitation of
sexually assaulted victims in the state.
Olumuyiwa-Rufai
informed Akande that the centre had been receiving tremendous support from
LASUTH, and the state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and
Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Ministry of Justice.
Akande,
in her response, said it was important for victims of rape to always report
such cases to the authorities.
She
noted that it was when victims speak out and come to places like Mirabel Centre
and her ministry that they could get the right help through counselling,
medical care and access to justice free of charge.
She
urged the police and all other relevant security agencies to rise up and
prosecute the perpetrators when reported, so that victims could get justice.
While
condemning landlords and prominent society members that always tried to shield
rapists and perpetrators of sexual abuse, she disclosed that thenceforth,
people that tried to cover up or shield rapists would also be prosecuted.
Akande
also visited the ministry’s transit home where victims of domestic violence,
particularly children and women, are kept in custody to shield them from
further abuse.
At the
home, Akande urged the administrator to ensure proper upkeep and education of
children in their custody. She noted that she came on the visit to have
firsthand information about the needs of the home.
Punch.
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