By: Pastor Taiwo Odubiyi

A 13 year-old girl was sent on an errand by her mother on June 26, 2010 at about 7pm. She was abuducted by an unknown person, raped to death and her body dumped in front of a building!

… In one of my books, Rescued by Victor, Mother talked to her female children. “There are some things a girl can do to avoid being raped. Number one, you have to be careful with boys and men whether in school or wherever. Be very careful. Two, don’t let anyone entice you with gifts. Three, don’t let anyone touch your body. It is not right; your body belongs to you. Even if the person is your teacher or daddy or one of your uncles, don’t allow it.” She stopped to clear her throat.
She continued, “Four, don’t allow anyone to pull up your dress. If your dress is being pulled up, pull it down. Five, if someone is doing something that is improper to you, or if something should happen to you, anything at all, I want you to tell me about it. I will believe and protect you. Is that alright?”
“Yes.” We chorused.
“Another thing you should do is to say no to that person. You can say no. Uju did not realise she could say no, that was why the sexual abuse continued to happen. I want you to say no. Go ahead, say it.”
“No.”
“Again … more firmly.” She said.
“No!” …

I also mentioned rape in two of my novels Love on the pulpit and Tears On My Pillow.
And in Oh Baby, a woman told a group of children, “Your body belongs to you. Say no to the person, whoever the person is, and don’t let the person put your hand on his or her body. Even if the person is an adult, tell him or her to stop. Do you understand? … If anyone wants to pull down your pants or touch you, say no!” She emphasized the last word. “Tell him or her to stop! Shout! Scream! Run! And when you get home, tell your parents about it. Remember that your body is the temple of God.”
This is the time for everyone to do something to stop the issue of rape as it is affecting many individuals and families and destroying good relationships. Let us save our children and women. Say No to Rape and violence against women – thereby making our society a better place to live in.