“RAPE IS RAPE, REGARDLESS OF WHO THE FACE OF THE ACCUSED IS” – ACTRESS STEPHANIE LINUS ADDRESSES ALLEGATION AGAINST RELATIVE
I am distraught and
devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape brought against a relative
of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother). While it is a very
difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my
position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of
the accused is.
devastated to hear of the recent allegation of rape brought against a relative
of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother). While it is a very
difficult time for me, and my family; I feel the need to make clear my
position, lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape, regardless of who the face of
the accused is.
Indeed, the irony
is not lost on me. I have spent my lifelong career advocating and living my
conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence,
sexual harassment or any form of abuse against their persons. This conviction
led me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating violence against women
in several countries including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
is not lost on me. I have spent my lifelong career advocating and living my
conviction that women around the world should be able to live free of violence,
sexual harassment or any form of abuse against their persons. This conviction
led me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating violence against women
in several countries including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The conviction also
led me to place much of my energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF),
a passion that dates back to my time at the University of Calabar.
led me to place much of my energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF),
a passion that dates back to my time at the University of Calabar.
As a student, I
heard a story about young girls who had been forced into early marriage and
were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF. The story stayed
in my consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on
the condition; leading to my work with a team of dedicated doctors to carry out
repair surgeries for VVF victims across the country; and my self-produced, soon
to be released movie, ‘DRY.’
heard a story about young girls who had been forced into early marriage and
were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF. The story stayed
in my consciousness and drove me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on
the condition; leading to my work with a team of dedicated doctors to carry out
repair surgeries for VVF victims across the country; and my self-produced, soon
to be released movie, ‘DRY.’
So, again, it is
indeed heart breaking for me to receive and deal with news alleging a family
member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against a woman. I
am devastated.
indeed heart breaking for me to receive and deal with news alleging a family
member of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence against a woman. I
am devastated.
This case is now in
Nigeria’s criminal justice system as the accused awaits arraignment. I have
also encouraged and assured the alleged victim of my stance against rape and
applaud her for her bravery to upset the culture of silence, in Nigeria; even
as I accord deference and patiently wait for the criminal justice system to
determine the guilt or innocence of my brother.
Nigeria’s criminal justice system as the accused awaits arraignment. I have
also encouraged and assured the alleged victim of my stance against rape and
applaud her for her bravery to upset the culture of silence, in Nigeria; even
as I accord deference and patiently wait for the criminal justice system to
determine the guilt or innocence of my brother.
For Nigerian press
and blogs; I call on you to please report this case in an ethical manner. I am
a married woman living my life. The alleged transgression of my relative does
not make it mine. The focus should be the impact of rape on the alleged victim,
and resources for other alleged victims, not me.
and blogs; I call on you to please report this case in an ethical manner. I am
a married woman living my life. The alleged transgression of my relative does
not make it mine. The focus should be the impact of rape on the alleged victim,
and resources for other alleged victims, not me.
Some members of the
press and blogs have turned me into the accuser; using my name for sensational
headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their stories. This is a form
of victimization of me as a woman, its unethical and extremely hurtful. I am
not the alleged accused.
press and blogs have turned me into the accuser; using my name for sensational
headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their stories. This is a form
of victimization of me as a woman, its unethical and extremely hurtful. I am
not the alleged accused.
I therefore please
ask all bloggers and the media who have placed my pictures and name to this
story to refrain from further using me to sensationalise this story.
ask all bloggers and the media who have placed my pictures and name to this
story to refrain from further using me to sensationalise this story.
I thank my fans,
and all well-wishers for your continued support and ask for your continued
prayers.
and all well-wishers for your continued support and ask for your continued
prayers.
God bless.
BEBEAKINBOADE is the fresh voice of African style, offering an informative, inspiring and entertaining mix of fashion,beauty ,entertainment,events ,place, inspirational and much more
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