Activist blames mother of 15-year-old rape victim
A counsellor and child rights activist, Christianah Akindolie, has expressed dissatisfaction with Racheal Jolaosho, for allowing her 15-year-old daughter, Deborah, to be raped by a family friend, Taju Adejumo, 40.
She said this during a Valentine awareness programme, ‘Getting it right for teenagers’, organised by the Christianah Fate Foundation on Saturday in Lagos.
Adejumo, who allegedly raped, deflowered and impregnated the minor, was re-arrested last Wednesday and immediately charged to an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court.
Deborah, who is seven-month pregnant, was attacked when her mother asked her to go to a construction site and bring back a plastic drum borrowed from her by the 40-year-old welder.
Akindolie, while condemning the act by Adejumo, lamented that Jolaosho wouldn’t have sent her daughter to an obscure and lonely place like a construction site.
In an emotion-laden voice, the founder of CFF, pleaded with parents to be close to their children, especially females, saying this gives them confidence to speak their minds and share their pains.
Akindolie said, “I read with pains and displeasure the story of the 15-year-old girl who was raped by a family friend. It pained me that I almost burst into tears. What would one have done in that situation? I blame the mother for sending her to the lonely place. We must understand that the devil has no place.
“Secondly, as a mother, you should be so close to your children, especially females in a way that they will be free to confide in you no matter the issue. If she were close to her daughter, she would have told her directly or indirectly. It is the responsibility of a mother to look after a child.
“If your children cannot confide in you as a mother, it means something is wrong somewhere. What pained me most was that when she came back, she was blaming her for her lateness, instead of asking for the cause of her lateness.”
She wondered why many parents were not observant of changes in the lives of their children.
She however urged parents never to trust anyone with their children.
She added, “Parents must open their eyes and know that their children can be abused by anybody close to them. I sympathise with the girl and urge other girls to develop courage when necessary. Girls must learn to be hard sometimes.”
CULLED FROM PUNCH NEWSPAPERS
February 11, 2013 by Sodiq Oyeleke
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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