The media was abuzz about the rape scandal of a prominent Abuja-based senior pastor and founder of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo and how he was alleged to have raped Busola Dakolo, wife of a popular singer, Timi Dakolo in 2002.
The scandal most times top the trending list on Twitter blog, as hundreds of protesters with placards clamoured for Mr Fatoyinbo’s resignation at the church’s headquarter in Abuja and the Lagos Branch.
The victim, Mrs Dakolo, a mother of three filed a lawsuit against the preacher, however, a few months after the legal tussle, the court ruled in favour of the clergyman.
The deed has been done, its important you take decisive steps to be on top of the situation. Here are steps to take in case of rape.
1. You need to know that it’s not your fault that you were raped. Don’t start blaming yourself, rape is a crime and the culprit deserves to be punished not you (victim). You didn’t make this happen to you, the rapist(s) did.
2. Stay safe and find support: Ensure to be in a safe environment and reach out to a trusted family member or friend for support.
3. Do not change or wash the clothes you were putting on at the time of the sexual assault otherwise it might destroy any evidence there is that could lead to the prosecution of the culprit(s) if or when you report to the police.
4. It is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Rape comes with risk such as pregnancy, Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you want the crime to be investigated, the sooner a forensic medical examination takes place, the better.
5. Do well to join a community support group. You could also talk to a counsellor or therapist about the incident, this will foster your healing process.