Oluwaseun Osowobi, founder of the non-governmental organisation Stand To End Rape, addressed the issue of whether the group has supported male survivors of sexual and gender-based violence during an interview with The Punch.
When asked what was responsible for rape cases in the society, Oluwaseun Osowobi explained that sexual violence is fundamentally driven by power and control. She noted that perpetrators often use abuse as a way to dominate or assert hostility over others, a pattern shaped by social norms, upbringing, culture, and personal attitudes.
She highlighted that this dynamic is not unique to sexual violence but is evident across other forms of abuse, including financial control, where one partner may dictate how the other spends their earnings to assert dominance and humiliate them. Similarly, in sexual relationships, some young people justify coercion by framing it as a “return” for gifts or attention, reflecting an attempt to assert control over another person’s body.
To counter this, Osowobi emphasised education and awareness as key tools. She argued that helping people unlearn harmful behaviours and challenging long-standing justifications for abuse, alongside legal action where necessary, are essential steps in addressing the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence.
Further talking, she said, “So, they also believe it to be their reality. So, people need to unlearn certain attitudes and practices. People need to be more aware of what sexual violence is and the different levels and layers. People believe that if two partners go out to drink alcohol, it means they want sex. That’s wrong.
If you take a lady out for a drink and if the person has not consented to a sexual activity with you, don’t try it. You cannot assume consent. You cannot force consent. Also, consent can be revoked. So, I think making people aware is the main ingredient.”
She added that the legal system plays a critical role in curbing abuse. When perpetrators of illegal or harmful acts go unpunished, it can create a perception that such behaviour is acceptable or excusable in society. Conversely, visible enforcement and meaningful penalties act as a deterrent.
However, she acknowledged that for some repeat offenders, conventional deterrence is insufficient. In such cases, she stressed the importance of psychological or psychiatric intervention, as the behaviour goes beyond ordinary patterns of misconduct and requires professional support.See_More…