Are Nigerians Insensitive To Rape?

In 2007, Sugabelly shared stories of her rape, which happened the same year on her blog. But for the few faithful readers of her blog, not a lot of people were aware of her story. Then this month, the father of one of the perpetrators died.

Like any normal human, this was her reaction:

Irrefutable proof of the existence of an almighty God 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/6MFhvVJest
— Sugabelly 🌕 (@sugabelly) November 22, 2015

I'm so happy he's dead, God please hurry up and take Mustapha, Kabir, and Bashir too, and that their animal of a cousin called Jibrin 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Sugabelly 🌕 (@sugabelly) November 22, 2015

She also reshared her story.

It's to trend..
It's to sell cases..
Started cases in 2015
Joined Twitter in 2008
Been talking about this since 2007https://t.co/6PqZ6j2fNE
— Sugabelly 🌕 (@sugabelly) November 23, 2015

And wrote a new one -having to relive her nightmare.

Surviving Mustapha Audu, and his Rape Brigade | https://t.co/zoL4YRYWs5 – #sugabelly pic.twitter.com/97dXoZAMK0
— Sugabelly 🌕 (@sugabelly) November 27, 2015

The reactions of Nigerians to her tweet were varied.

Many showed solidarity.

https://twitter.com/STWKadaria/status/668808049134575617

You people are tweeting 'don't abuse the dead' at Sugabelly.
But it was okay to abuse Alams. pic.twitter.com/qGifDMsjHK
— A. (@Aunty_Les) November 22, 2015

You don't have to like Sugabelly. But on a matter as sensitive as this rape issue, kindly approach with sense and don't embarrass your clan.
— Uche Briggs (@UcheBriggs) November 23, 2015

https://twitter.com/seyitaylor/status/668753820193832961

https://twitter.com/MsAfropolitan/status/669150381478436864

I read the revolting account of what some depraved beings are alleged to have done to @sugabelly and I reached out to her. WE STAND!
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 25, 2015

Violence Against Women will decline through multiple actions:
4. VICTIM SUPPORT –WE ALL STAND with @sugabelly for example for SPEAKING UP.
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 25, 2015

https://twitter.com/elnathan/status/670219045925429248

Some doubted her.

You want me to believe that Sugabelly got raped? Nahh. You could play me the film right now and I still won't believe it. Oloriburuku omo.
— ULTRA MAGA 🇺🇸 (@TayoMarciano) November 22, 2015

Father Lord, may no one curse our memories when we pass the way @Sugabelly is cursing Audu Abubakar's…
— Mr. Aye Dee (@MrAyeDee) November 22, 2015

https://twitter.com/Twickta/status/668853769493458945

Some made hateful comments.

GOD! "@briandark: Wait? Audu's sons raped Sugabelly? She's right. They deserve to die for having such poor tastes in women.""
— King (@MsTyma_) November 22, 2015

Someone faked his death on twitter, so I don't y y'all are shocked at d possibility of sugabelly, a known blatant liar to cook a fake story.
— Heisenberg (@fahadwaziri) November 27, 2015

It also inspired a few women to speak up.

This rape/sexual assault thing. If I say my own story ehnn. It's been over 7 years but dude still called last month begging for forgiveness
— The Amaka. (@spiceeamiee) November 27, 2015

@koye10 in fact. My assault guy is active on twitter. And in politics. Also married. These people don't care jare.
— Ms. Lamide A. (@LAkintobi) November 27, 2015

What do our reactions to Sugabelly say about us?

Why do people find it so hard to believe rape victims? Why do we stigmatise them?

These sorts of reactions are why victims of rape never speak up, never come forward, but instead choose to live with the demons for the rest of their lives. It is also why there are only 18 recorded rape convictions in the history of this country.

This needs to change.

Featured image via Sugabelly.