Celebrities Unite Against Rape, Domestic Violence

Worried by the incessant cases of sexual assault and violence against women, Nollywood celebrities and power-couple, Mr and Mrs Olatunji, in conjunction with the Office of ThePublic Defender, on Thursday, led a walk from Ojuelegba inward Stadium axis to speak out against the menace.

Mr and Mrs Olatunji who displayed placards with the inscriptions, “Say No to Rape, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse,” called on fellow Nigerians and authorities to put an end to the crimes.

The Nollywood couple said that they were incensed by all forms of gender-based violence in the country and the state, insisting that the full weight of the law must be slammed on perpetrators of sexual crimes.

The Federal of International Lawyers (FEDA), security personnel including the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, members of the National Youth Service Corps, also participated in the walk.

Speaking during the walk, Damola Olatunji said: “Rape has been one of the oldest act of mankind, it’s one of the things our society tends to be silent about over the years. Instead of condemning the act, we shift the blame on the victim. These have made people go quiet about it; they don’t want to talk about it out of what society, friends and family will say, how the religious circle will look at them as victims, the condemnations that come after it. So it’s high time we stopped it. It’s only an inferior man that will rape another person’s daughter or wife

“To curb the menace, the government should stop child abuse by parents. They should protect the young ones safe against all forms of attack and hawking especially by the girl-child, who should still be in school”.

“Offenders should not be spared, and l believe that the way forward is to continuously engage Nigerian to prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence.”

On her part, Mrs Olatunji urged all women and young ladies to ensure they voice out their pains to the Office of Public Defender, (OPD). “Domestic violence, sexual violence must stop”

The Coordinator of the campaign on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, said the campaign walk is aimed at helping disadvantaged groups like women and children in the society. It is also in commemoration of the human rights day themed “Orange the World” generation Equality Stands Against Rape.

Adeyemi said: “We want every disadvantaged group, women and children out there to know that the law on rape, sexual assault and gender-based violence now carry stiff penalties or punishments and that offenders will not go unpunished, victims should not suffer in silence”.

“Our message to the people is to ‘Say No to Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse’, they can also call on our office (office of Public Defender) To report any case of violence against women and children.

“Domestic violence is a crime and should be reported by calling our toll free line 07080601080 or access us via our social media platforms @opdlagos and we will come to your rescue.”