SEXUAL VIOLENCE

 Sexual Violence is a form of mistreatment through inappropriate or damaging sexual conduct. It is thus a  statutory offense that provides that it is a CRIME to knowingly, deliberately, purposefully cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual behavior or act by force or by threat. And as such, this isn't a misdemeanor or petty crime, but a felonious crime which is punishable by law, with no option of fine.

Sexual Violence is a CANCEROUS MENACE that has rigorously spread into the system in society and has also eaten deep, without control, especially in the life of adolescents who are known to be defenseless. Hawkers are not left out either, as they are easily prone to falling into the traps set by these monstrous predators in human clothing, and as such, this case must not be treated with levity.

FORMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE/ABUSE

• SEXUAL VIOLENCE FROM ACQUAINTANCE (SVA)
• This is abuse or violence that exists between people of close affiliation. As it goes along with its name ‘acquaint’ which means familiarity. This form of abuse can be between boyfriends and girlfriends, fathers to children, guardians to wards, teachers to students, religious leaders to their members or followers and between neighbors, etc
• SEXUAL VIOLENCE FROM STRANGERS(SVS)

This is the opposite of SVA. It is an abuse that ensues between one. or more unknown individuals or groups. E.G Robbers to their victims, hooligans or touts to their victims, cultists to their victims. This can also be classified into gang rape or individual rape. Some are masked while some aren't.

The above-stated forms quite share the same effect and degree of damages. As this violence can result in:

• Psychological trauma
• Victims becoming sexsomnia
• Unforgiveness
• Cruelty
• Contracting of sexual diseases like Gonorrhea, HIV/Aids, STDs, etc.
• Suicide: resulting to increase mortality death rate.
• Goals, dreams, almost shattered, except with intervention from HOPE LIGHTING AGENCIES like the NGO, Governmental agencies, etc.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Its target audience is numerous to mention. Virtually in different spheres of life.

• The following can or could be a target audience:
• Underaged children.
• Pupils
• Students.
• Teenagers in general, comprising the aforementioned.
• Hawkers
• Homeless Children
• Children from broken homes.
• Children who lack parental attention or care and concern.
• Wards.

These target audiences are often and in most cases, Insensitive, innocent, and naïve. While some of these above-listed targetted audiences are self-inflicted i.e they are the architect of their misfortune. These could be as a result of their :

• indecent or shabby dressing
• Wrong companies or associations.
• Lonely walk at night and in odd places.
• Greed.
• Laziness, which is a lack of hard work to earn a living.

PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES/MEASURES 

• Decent dressing.
•  Ensure they walk in convoy and inform their parent or guardian about their whereabout.
• Good companies should be abhorred rather than the opposite that might end up negatively influencing one wrongly.
• Flee at the sight of any sign or suspicion.
• Avoid walking alone at night.
• Avoid wrong and suspicious environment that can warrant such an act. E.g bars, joints, corners, etc.
• They should learn from the mistakes of others, and not end up as victims themselves. 

Hence this saying, “Experience is the best teacher”, but I say “It's better to learn from other people's experience, rather than falling a victim to a similar occurrence”. Don’t be the lesson that should be learned, rather, LEARN THE LESSON OTHERS HAVE TO TEACH. Recycle their mistakes, and pick a lesson from it. Not everybody survives SEXUAL VIOLENCE. For Instance, Late Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, Late Barakat Bello, and several others, who fell victims to sexual abuse, but could not Live to tell the story.

THE VICTIMS

The victims could either be a MALE or a FEMALE. It concerns both genders, as it does not restrict on which prey it craves to feed on.

But the percentage of the female gender outweighs that of the male. Even though it affects both psychologically and makes them feel an imbalance, thereby causing wreckage to their relationships or probably their marital lives, it also has a higher damaging effect on the female gender, as they end up getting unwanted pregnancies which they never bargained for, thereby carting away and bringing to absurdity their dreams and aspirations, knowing fully well that being a mother comes with great responsibility. This, in turn, puts a halt to their education and so, they end up living a depressed life, full of shame and regrets, as they watch their folks live a good life, achieving their dreams, and fulfill their goals and aspiration. 

While The MALE GENDER, on the other hand, can still proceed with their studies, besides, they don’t get pregnant, unlike the female gender. Those who end up getting married to these categories of male victims, if not psychologically addressed by counselors or agencies that help with the reregulation of psychological issues, end up MAKING A HELL OUT OF EVERY LADY THEY COME ACROSS OR END UP WITHIN THEIR LIVES.

WHO ARE THEY SUPPOSE TO CONTACT?

The country has got agencies set up for these purposes. NGOs also are not left out.

Both can try as much as possible to ensure that this menace is reduced, even though we know that it cannot be eradicated in our society.

Culprits who engage in sexual abuse should be adequately dealt with by the law enforcement agencies and caused to face the penalty of their offenses/crimes. As this will serve as a deterrent and lesson to those aspiring to be one and for those who are already engaging in it.

HOW CAN THEY BE CONTACTED?

These people can be contacted through the creation of awareness campaigns and programs, social media awareness, in schools, and our communities. Simply put, By sensitization.

ADVICE: let's all give it all it takes to take this awareness to every nooks and cranny of our world, both rural and urban areas. These people are dying psychologically, healthwise, and even scholarly. They think their dreams have been shattered, they conclude that they can never attain the height that they have imagined. Hope, encouragement and assurance are all they need -lets to give it to them.

 Parents should know and observe their children or wards, especially their moods. Sometimes, their actions and silence say a lot more than words can describe.

For those who have innocently fallen victim, let's ensure we help by practically and intentionally showing love rather than stigmatizing. Do not be the reason why a victim will commit suicide.