Sexual Assault Awareness is essential in our contemporary world, as the prevalence of sexual assault continues to rise. To learn more about sexual assault awareness and read some victims’ stories, read this article:

Sexual assault, also known as sexual violence, refers to any sexual act or crime committed without the consent of the other party. It includes acts such as rape, inappropriate touching, and attempted rape. The impacts of sexual assault can be severe, leading to the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, emotional and mental trauma, anxiety, PTSD, and even death.

Sexual assault is a crime punishable by law, and it is important to clarify that the blame for sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrator, not the victim. Globally, 1 in 5 girls or women and 1 in 16 boys or men have experienced sexual assault, and this needs to stop.

Sexual Assault Awareness is a campaign aimed at raising public awareness about sexual assault and educating people on how to prevent it. April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Sexual Assault Awareness can be promoted through public education in schools, churches, workplaces, and on social media. Utilizing various media formats such as carousels, videos, and infographics can help educate people about sexual assault, ways to protect themselves, and how to avoid becoming involved in such acts.

Sexual assault is a silent pandemic that we must actively combat through awareness and education. One effective way to engage in sexual assault awareness is to speak up and voice concerns when witnessing inappropriate behavior. Additionally, providing financial support to organizations focused on sexual assault awareness can make a significant impact, as these groups often need funds to further their initiatives. Individuals can also promote awareness by conducting community outreach and educational programs in their neighborhoods.

The underlying causes of sexual assault often include negative influences, poor upbringing, anger, obsessive thoughts, and substance abuse. To address these issues, we must also focus on tackling the root causes of sexual assault while ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and face legal consequences for their actions. I believe perpetrators of sexual violence should be shown no mercy.

**Stories of Victims**

**Amina’s POV**

On a dark Thursday night, I continued to nurse my pain in silence. I feared that if a pin fell, everyone would hear it. I sobbed quietly and cried to a pulp, my heart heavy with grief. “Amina, my magida called. Why are you still crying? You’re not the first woman to meet a man. Next time, don’t be stubborn, and I won’t hurt you, I promise.”

He continued, whenever I call you to come to lie on my bed and make love to me, you should come running to me like a catfish in the pond competing for fish food. Tiwi is 14, you’re younger than her. She knows how to make me happy.

He moved closer, the weight of his pot belly pressed against my abdomen, which already ached like my waist was about to pull off. His breath carried the stench of his usual agbo and manpower concoction drink that Iya Bisiru, the woman that sells agbo two compounds away from the jail where I’m brought caged, strike that, I mean from my husband’s house.

Thoughts raced through my mind that night; I considered throwing myself into the well behind my room; maybe I’d find solace in the water before I drowned or use a knife to end my suffering. But I hesitated, realizing how painful that would be. I thought about ingesting pest control liquid from the farm. “How did I get here?” I wondered. But deep down, I reminded myself that I was a fighter, and I would ultimately overcome this. As I fell asleep, I clung to that thought.

The next morning, I resumed my chores. While cleaning, I noticed the other wives of Chief Dauda going about their business. I greeted them and tried to walk past, despite limping from pain. I did my best to hide it, but I failed.

I went back into my room, and in less than a second I entered my room I heard a knock on the wooden door, before I could go there to open the door, two ladies about my age came in, one with a baby bump. I didn’t need any explanation to know that they were young girls like me, whose parents had, of course, given to Chief Dauda for marriage, either for money or political gain.

“Good morning, Amina,” they said in unison as if they were programmed AI. The girl with the baby bump introduced herself. “I’m Tiwi, and this is Zainab”, poking Zainab with a mischievous smile. She offered me a cup. “This will help with the pain. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything; we’re here for you.”

Hot tears ran a marathon from my eyes to my cheeks; I forgot my pain in a second as I realized that this would be my reality soon, just like Tiwi, who’s 14 and pregnant, I’ll be 16 and pregnant one day, just one day for Chief Dauda. I quickly snapped back, wiped my tears, and accepted the drink.

Suddenly, my door burst open, it was Chief Dauda. The girls fled the room like children being chased by dogs. I couldn’t help but notice how much he was sweating that early morning. My thoughts were halted as he pulled me into his embrace. Again, his stomach, which is the size of a pregnant woman due for labor, pressed against my abdomen. Me too, I winced from the pain like a woman in labor as Chief used me to satisfy his sexual escapades.

He had of course taken Iya Bisiru’s man power concoction this morning. I could tell from his breath as he moaned, sorry grunts like a big fat dirty pig, while my legs shook uncontrollably as my body moved forth and back, there and then, I realized that nobody was coming to save me.

***

Two years later, I remained a slave to the chief’s sexual escapades, but now I held the title of senior wife since the chief had taken three new wives who had given him children. For some reason, he believed I was a rebel because I hadn’t become pregnant. Iya Bisiru had given me various fertility drinks, but none had worked. By the third year, I was nineteen, and Chief Dauda asked me to leave his house due to my inability to bear a child.

The night before I left, I overheard Chief’s eldest wife laughing and gisting with two older wives about how they deceived Tiwi and Zainab to bring me a concoction that would help with the pains I had unknown to them that it would make me not to have kids ever, they did this because few days before Chief married me, he boasted of how he was going to treat his new wife better than the others, something he could never achieve because I refused. I felt too numb to cry, I however told Tiwi and Zainab.

The next morning, with a mixture of joy and pain, I left his home. Returning to my parents was not an option; after all, who would consent to their only child being married off at sixteen to a man of sixty-two? My parents, unfortunately. Over the years, I had grown hardened, learned to fend for myself, and, most importantly, I always had the thought of committing suicide. But this time, I was determined to go through with it, having hidden one of the chief’s pest control in the cup of my bralette.

As I walked out of the compound, Tiwi and Zainab, who had become like sisters to me, looked at me with tear-filled eyes. Tiwi’s three-year-old son, Haruna, cried as usual whenever he wanted to be with me. Tiwi held him lightly to her bosom. The older wives and their children, many of whom were my age, watched in silence.

Chief Dauda remained unmoved, acting as if I wasn’t there while his newest wife massaged his foot and he drank Iya Bisiru’s concoction. I stood facing the gate, which neither I nor the other wives had crossed since we married Dauda. I brought out the pest control bottle and emptied its contents into my mouth. I sat on the floor, turned to face them, and as I slowly traveled toward the land of no return, the last thing I heard was, “Amina… Amin… Ami.” I felt a sense of relief, I’m glad that I’m gone.

**Naga’s POV**

Chucks was our neighbor. He had a wife and a daughter, who was also 13, just like me. Before my encounter with him, my friend Inu had already told him about his inappropriate behavior, so, I was on guard. On two occasions, Chucks pretended that he wanted to send me on an errand. I remember those times clearly, especially since I was alone at home.

One day he sent me to buy a shaving stick. When I got to his house, he asked me to come in and drop it off. Then he held me close, and I felt his manhood pressing against me while he caressed my developing boobs. He said, “You’re my girl”.

I also had an encounter with Chucks’ friend, but that situation was much easier for me to escape. I found a playful way to free myself from Chucks’ grip, and I learned to be wary of him. I didn’t report him at the time because I thought I could control the situation. In hindsight, I realize how naïve that was. However, I often wonder how many other girls he harassed or tried to harass because I and others chose to remain silent.

I was once scared about what would happen because, at that time, my parents weren’t financially stable, and in a way, he assisted us. Fortunately, about a year later, we moved out of that place to a better environment.

Now that I’m a grown woman, I still see Chucks. I remember those experiences we had together, and he seems like a changed person, but I doubt I still see traces of his devilish attitude. I know he wouldn’t approach me in the same manner again. I am now wary of men. Was I traumatized? Yes. Have I healed? Yes. Do I trust men? Not at all.

**Ini’s POV**

My mom gave birth to me when she was quite young and unmarried. Later on, she married a man who appeared to be wealthy, and together they had more children, making them seem like a happy couple.

Unfortunately, he attempted to sexually assault me a couple of times, though he never succeeded. I chose not to tell my mom because I feared it would ruin their marriage, and I was worried she might not believe me. There were so many “what ifs” running through my mind.

I didn’t tell my mom about what happened because I feared it would ruin her marriage, and I worried she might not believe me. I was overwhelmed with so many “what ifs.” As a result, I had to deal with anxiety and nightmares for most of my teenage years.

Over time, I became wary of men, which affected my relationships as I grew into a woman. I realized I needed to heal and let go of my past. Today, I am actively involved in raising awareness about sexual assault and educating young people on how to protect themselves.

**Gabriel’s POV**

Growing up, I was naive and very timid. I didn’t even realize I was being sexually harassed until I got older. I was just an average kid in secondary school, where I had two female classmates, Roli and Uwali. They were bold and mischievous, always sharing adult gossip in class and behaving in ways that didn’t seem appropriate for our age.

On several occasions, Roli and Uwali would randomly touch my private parts as if it were normal behavior or sit on my legs and make random jokes about me having to be with them in bed, it was never comfortable.

**Gloria’s POV**

Sexual violence isn’t something to take lightly, the need for sexual assault awareness cannot be overlooked because people are sexually harassed and abused on daily basis. Perpetrators of sexual violence are everywhere, they’re in schools, homes, compounds, places of worship, at the office, on the street.

Sexual Assault Awareness should be instilled in children right from a tender age, with parents educating their children on sensitive parts of the body, that shouldn’t be touched by any other person, no matter what. Parents and guidance should teach their children the exact names of body parts and not coat them as though they are forbidden names. Also, parents should create a rapport with children so that they won’t be scared of speaking up.

Parents should also educate their children not to be people who carry out sexual violence. Sexual Assault Awareness goes beyond educating children to protect themselves; it also involves educating them not to violate and harass people sexually. It’s a crime punishable by law. When people are being educated on sexual assault awareness they should be taught indepth about the physical, emotional, mental, psychological, and health damages done to victims.

Furthermore, sexual assault awareness campaigns should be planned tactically and skillfully, bearing in mind not to stigmatize victims of sexual violence or make them feel inferior. The campaigns must incorporate sections where victims are provided with solutions and comprehensive support, including emotional, financial, mental, psychological, physical, and healthcare assistance.

Individuals carrying out sexual assault awareness campaigns must be empathetic and passionate about the cause. They should be smart, always ready to help and involve medical teams and lawful authorities when necessary. When dealing with cases, they should be mindful and approach situations with wisdom rather than just emotions.

Professional bodies, such as lawyers, healthcare providers, social workers, counselors, therapists, protection managers, risk analysts, and researchers, should be involved. Intensive sexual awareness campaigns are more than just a symbolic effort.

Sexual awareness campaigns should be implemented by schools and religious bodies, and they should not target or focus on one particular gender, as sexual violence is not gender-specific. Therefore, this awareness should be directed at both genders, ensuring both boys and girls are protected.

ALSO READ: SILENCE IS NOT ALWAYS GOLDEN

About Author

Gloria

I’m a graduate of the University of Benin, I studied International Studies and Diplomacy. I’m lifestyle writer, content and copy writer, content strategist, poet and spoken word artiste.

See author's posts