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African Female

It brings shame to yourself

Participant 1: This isn’t the whole of Nigeria, but from the area I am from, I think it has been just a non-said, passed-down idea that it's such a shameful thing that you just don’t speak of it, cause it brings shame to yourself, so just don’t say anything. And if there is a policy like this that encourages people to talk and that, now, "Oh, someone is on your side! It's not shame, it's bringing consequences to someone who did something." I think [my parents] would be happy [about this policy] and they would be happy about the fact that "My child is in a place where she is safe, for if anything were to ever happen she would have that space to talk." I think they would appreciate it, and appreciate the fact that the silence would be broken.
Facilitator: I think you are absolutely right on, and I don’t think it's just your side of Nigeria. I come from - well, I can only speak from Nigeria, because I am Nigerian, but I think it cuts across the whole of Africa. But, I think you are absolutely right, I mean, you'd think your parents would be glad, and you're right, some parents may not want you to speak about it because, you know, how shameful it will sound. But this policy makes them feel like, "Oh, my daughter is safe! Oh, my son is safe! You know? Thank you. And Participant 2?
Participant 2: I think they [my parents] would think what the first participant said [about this policy]. About [sexual assault] being a shameful thing to talk about it. It's everywhere in Nigeria, from either side. Talking about it, saying it publicly, especially for a girl, people call you a lot of names, your parents would not want that for you.

Recommendations

  • Provide long-term support to victims/survivors through university services and/or through referals to external community-based agencies.

  • Ensure all sexual violence prevention and response education and training opportunities actively deconstruct victim-blaming, rape myths and gender norms. Ensure these sessions take an intersectional approach to understanding sexual violence and supporting victim/survivors.

  • Describe possible legal and institutional consequences for respondents found to have engaged in sexual violence. Provide indication of the range of consequences likely to follow a range of policy violations.