The Mirabel Centre of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital says that a total of 997 rape cases have been treated in its two years of existence.

The Centre Manager, Mrs. Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai, said this when the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, visited the centre on Tuesday.

The manager explained that the centre was in charge of the rehabilitation of sexually assaulted victims in the state.

Olumuyiwa-Rufai informed Akande that the centre had been receiving tremendous support from LASUTH, and the state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, as well as the Ministry of Justice.

Akande, in her response, said it was important for victims of rape to always report such cases to the authorities.

She noted that it was when victims speak out and come to places like Mirabel Centre and her ministry that they could get the right help through counselling, medical care and access to justice free of charge.

She urged the police and all other relevant security agencies to rise up and prosecute the perpetrators when reported, so that victims could get justice.

While condemning landlords and prominent society members that always tried to shield rapists and perpetrators of sexual abuse, she disclosed that thenceforth, people that tried to cover up or shield rapists would also be prosecuted.

Akande also visited the ministry’s transit home where victims of domestic violence, particularly children and women, are kept in custody to shield them from further abuse.

At the home, Akande urged the administrator to ensure proper upkeep and education of children in their custody. She noted that she came on the visit to have firsthand information about the needs of the home.

PUNCH