The Anambra State Government has lamented the exponential rise in reported cases of rape in the state during COVID-19-induced lockdown, especially cases of fathers raping their daughters.
This came to the fore during the United Nations Children ’s Fund (UNICEF)-supported launch of integrated child protection community sensitisation campaign across the 21 local government areas in the state.
The Director of Child Welfare Services in the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Welfare, Mrs. Nkechi Anazodo, stated on Monday in Isuaniocha in Awka North LGA, that 80 rape cases were reported during lockdown in April and May.
According to Anazodo, only 32 rape cases were reported to the ministry before the lockdown.
The ministry official stressed that this upsurge in reported cases necessitated the 10-day sensitisation campaign across the state.
Anazodo said, “Sexual violence has become the order of the day, especially during this period of lockdown.
“The most worrisome is that some fathers raped their daughters more during the lockdown. In most cases, fathers who rape their daughters threaten to kill them if they report.
“The problem, therefore, is that many people don’t report these cases because they feel that the victim might be stigmatised.
“That is why we are going round the 21 local government areas of the state to create awareness on this problem.”
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