How to protect yourself from sexual predators

From time to time, social media is awash with lurid stories of girls and women across the country that had been sexually harassed or even raped.

WebMD, a popular online resource that provides medical information, defines a sexual predator as “a person who seeks out sexual contact with another person in a predatory or abusive manner.”

It further explains that sexual predators “may or may not have committed sex crimes like sexual harassment, assault, rape, and paedophilia.”

While some of these sexual predators are known to the survivors, others are random attackers in public places.
Some sexual predators attempt to exploit adult victims, while many are child sexual predators who, in some cases, build trust with their victims as a form of grooming.

Last month, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced that state operatives arrested 71 miscreants across Terminals 1, 2, and 3 of Oshodi for allegedly harassing women.

A report released by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, an arm of the state Ministry of Justice, in August, indicated that there were 93 cases of rape, 138 cases of sexual assault, and 113 cases of sexual assault by penetration from September 2023 to July 2024.
Recently, in Jigawa State, a 32-year-old man, Bashir Umar, allegedly lured an eight-year-old girl into a restroom where he allegedly tortured and sexually assaulted her.

“The world has always been a cruel place for women,” noted a medical professional, Dr Adewumi Adeola.

“However, we can’t roll over and play dead in the face of such assaults on our dignity. There are ways we can try our best to prevent such situations from happening.”

Here are some ways to protect yourself from sexual predators:

Break the silence jinx

Adeola pointed out that sexual predation thrives in silence, when there are no channels of communication that enable proper awareness or alert others.

“Parents need to have open conversations about sexual predation with their children, and individuals should do so with their siblings. Teach your daughters, sons, sisters, and brothers about the parts of their bodies that no one should ever touch.
“Cultivate the type of relationship with your children or siblings that gives them the right vocabulary to speak out when someone is trying to assault them,” she added.

Be sensitive to changes in conversation
A Lagos-based health worker, Mrs Bolanle Waheed, stated that women needed to be alert when the tone of their conversation with a male friend or stranger begins tilting towards harassment.

“The male figure could be your friend, a religious person, or a stranger. Once the conversation starts tilting towards your body or their hands begin crossing certain boundaries, walk away and avoid meeting them in enclosed spaces,” she advised.

Be vigilant

Parents are advised to observe who they allow to play with their children or where they visit.

Adeola noted, “When an adult male jokingly calls your daughter ‘his wife’, as a mother, put your foot down and counter it. Our times call for vigilant parenting for both boys and girls. Always be present with them when they visit your neighbours.
“Be vigilant of visitors who leer at your children, give them unwarranted gifts, or always want to lap them. These are common tactics used by sex predators who are family friends, babysitters, or home helps to molest children.”

Carry a weapon

Women are advised to keep their bags within easy reach to access weapons that could protect them.

“Tasers, pepper spray, and pocket knives are good weapons, particularly if you know how to use them to ward off a potential attacker,” Waheed said.

Inform others of your location

He further advised, “You must always inform people of where you are going. Take photos, make phone calls when you are in an Uber, send out your live location, and avoid meeting someone you’ve only been chatting with on social media in a private place.

“If you are meeting someone for the first time, make the meeting place a public one, and let your loved ones know how to keep track of your movements and know when you need help.”
Opt for self-defence

“Women who drink alcohol or take stimulants at parties are at a high risk of being sexually assaulted. When going out to such places, ensure that your drinks are not spiked and keep your head clear. It’s also not a bad idea to take self-defence classes, as this can help a lot in protecting yourself,” Adeola said.

Advising men, Waheed said, “As a man, when you see a lady in danger of being assaulted, step in and stop it. Don’t be a bystander; call the authorities and raise an alarm to attract attention. Don’t be an accessory to a crime.”