One does not need to have experienced rape to understand the seriousness of it as a crime. Majority of Rape cases went unreported in the past because of the stigma society associated with the act but now victims of sexual violence are coming forward. Even though women cannot actually ‘rape’ in law (because rape requires penile penetration), they can equally commit serious sexual offences…

Recently in Ghana, some perpetrators of Rape are either given slaps on their wrists or allowed to walk free. Their escape from justice thus emboldens prospective rapists to commit more of such offences, knowing that the likelihood of being punished is slim.

A rapist is not just “taking” sex. Such a person is inflicting both physical and psychological harm on the victim. It has nothing to do with pleasure or enjoyment. Even where there is no struggle, and a victim already feels overpowered mentally or physically, it is a crime…

It’s highly intrusive; sometimes the violent nature makes it capable of deep, lasting damage- more so than many other violent crimes. Often, the perpetrator of rape is known to the victim- a neighbour, friend, uncle, cousin, husband, teacher, pastor, ex-partner and this makes it harder to report it.

Rape victims are left with lifelong trauma, inability to forge meaningful relations with the opposite sex, unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

The rising cases of gang-rapes, violation of children by adults, especially children in step-parenting families, ‘prophets’ transferring ‘holy spirits’ from their system into a church member and young boys being sodomised is a great cause for concern.

While adults can offer some resistance, children cannot and lecherous adults take advantage of their vulnerability.

Healthy sexual relations should be where partners provide intimacy and pleasure without discomfort, fear or coercion. Some married women end up badly bruised due to rough handling and forceful entering. Some men believe forcing their wives to have sex is not rape because they’re only taking what is ‘lawfully’ theirs – because they paid their dowry. How can a keg of ‘akpeteshie’ or pieces of wax prints buy a human being plus her dignity?

How can a man drug his wife for ‘marathon’ sex? You’ll just shudder when you hear or read abnormal stories like this. Some of these men are educated but hey, common sense is not common to even a learned person. Marital rape should be seen as what it is. Rape or Sexual violence is barbaric and does not belong in any human culture.

Unfortunately, the people supposed to protect victims also turn a blind eye. Imagine a mother asking ‘how can your husband rape you? He is a man and you’re supposed to be ever ready for him’, how does it help in a victims’ recuperation?

Pointing accusing fingers and apportioning blames on the victims of rape instead of showing empathy and giving them the much needed support is the order of the day in our society. Some are threatened so they have no choice but to suffer in silence.

Rape is cruel, and the offenders must face the wrath of the law.