Rape worse than Armed Robbery, should attract death sentence, says Owoseni

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni is advocating that the crime of rape should carry a life sentence, as what a rapist takes from his victim is invaluable compared to an armed robber that takes material things that can be replaced.

He made this call at a symposium organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) as part of activities marking the domestic and sexual violence awareness month.

Owoseni noted that poverty encourages and increases domestic and sexual abuse; while reprimanding women that encourage other women to stay in violent and abusive marriages, saying that such action only endangers the lives of the victims. He further appealed that when anyone falls victim to rape, they shouldn’t take a bath but immediately report to the police.

Dr. Olajide Bello who delivered the lead paper reiterated that sexual violence is any sexual act carried out without the victim’s consent, especially with the use of violence or coercion. He pointed out that a wife can be raped by her husband and falls under sexual and gender based violence as well.

Deji Irawo, a media expert, who was also one of the discussants lamented the fact that the media is sending conflicting messages to the world with the contents that are being aired on television and radios.