Dr. Jude Uchendu, a consultant pathologist in the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine in the hospital, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.
He said more than 90 per cent of the cases were committed by people known by the victims with a significant number committed by neighbours or blood relations.
Acording to him, only few were carried out by strangers, such as armed robbers and people who met the girls on their way and took them to uncompleted buildings.
Uchendu also said some of the perpetrators of the crime were either girls’ fathers or caregivers.
“Between the month of March and October, we have interviewed over 80 patients and unfortunately, most of them are less than 18 years.
“This figure is only a tip of the iceberg because most people that are raped do not come to hospital to complain.
“The few victims that come to the hospital to complain do not pursue the matter as a legal case,” Uchendu said.
He said rape cases were becoming an epidemic and should be treated as a public health issue by stakeholders.
“We need people that will talk about it so that the public will know how to deal with such situations,” Uchendu said.
He said the victims were usually threatened by the perpetrators and thus, they did not tell their parents. The doctor urged parents to spend more time with their children so that they could monitor their activities and whereabouts.
He also called on the government to do something about the large number of uncompleted buildings, which he said served as hideouts for criminals and unemployed youths.
“It is observed that there are a lot of homes where parents are too busy, children are left in the care of neighbours or relatives.
“Parents should spend more time with their children, teach them about sex and teach them how to defend themselves so that in cases where they are exposed to rape they can run away.
“They should also teach them about their private part and to say no when people try to play with it,” Uchendu said.
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Shegzan
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