Actress, Stephine Okere Linus no be happy woman at all at the moment after one Unilag babe accuse her older brother of rape.
Unfortunately the actress name dey come up for the matter for sake sey she dey related to the culprit.
See wetin she write today
“Rape is Rape, Regardless of Who the Face of the Accused is” – Actress Stephanie Linus
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 accused; 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, it is
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.
Stephanie Linus
LAGOS,Nigeria (November 24, 2014)
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