UNBELIEVABLE: SEE What Rapists Are Doing To Deaf Girls In Ibadan

A research work has revealed that rapists are taking undue advantage of deaf girls in Ibadan, Oyo State, western Nigeria.

 * A file picture of a rape victim
 According to Dr. Oyeduni Arulogun, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of  Medicine, University of  Ibadan, rapists in Ibadan were taking  undue advantage of  deaf  girls.

Arulogun told newsmen in Ibadan that indication to  this development was revealed  by  her latest  research work  entitled: “Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Deaf girls: A  Case Study of Ibadan.’’

She said: “ Many of the rapists of these deaf girls are their stepfathers and other people well known to them.


“I discovered during my research that they experience sexual, physical and psychological violence just like anyone else.

“It is a worrisome situation because when they are sexually violated, they can’t complain.
“They don’t have the language to communicate and so most of the rape incidents go unreported to the security agents.

“The person that is supposed to help them out does not understand sign language which is a means of communication for the deaf.’’

Arulogun also said that her research  revealed that a number of deaf girl tested were found to be HIV  positive.

“It  was the first time  HIV/AIDS test was conducted for them and it was amazing that many of them were positive,” she said.

According to her, deaf girls are not usually predisposed to  disclosing information to health workers because there has  to be an intermediary between them to interpret.

“They have great concern about the confidentiality of the information  that they give.
“They also miss their appointments  at the clinic because they don’t hear when they are called,” Arulogun said.

The researcher said that concerted efforts should be made toward  giving deaf girls a sense of belonging as special needs persons.

She said that deliberate policies must  be formulated by  health providers to ensure that  some hospital workers understand sign language.

The don called on security agencies to intensify efforts in the arrest and prosecution of rape victims.
Arulogun also urged journalists to  assist to check the scourge  by sensitising the people on the incidence  of rape through  media tools.