Stephanie Linus
Okereke speaks out her mind about her cousin’s foolish behaviour in which she
said Rape is rape, regardless of
who the face of the accused is; and went further to say that the attitude of
his cousin is ‘heart breaking’, ‘violence
against a woman’ and devastated. !
Stephanie’s press released below unedited:
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.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I thank my fans, and all well-wishers
for your continued support and ask for your continued prayers.
God bless.
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