Periodically, social media platforms are flooded with distressing accounts of females across the nation who have experienced sexual harassment or assault.
According to WebMD, a well-known online medical resource, a sexual predator is defined as someone who pursues sexual contact with another individual in an aggressive or abusive manner.
These individuals may or may not have a history of sex crimes like harassment, assault, rape, or pedophilia.
While some perpetrators are known to their victims, others are strangers who attack in public spaces.
Certain predators target adults, while others, especially those targeting children, may establish trust with their victims through grooming tactics.
Recent reports include the arrest of 71 individuals in Lagos for harassing women and statistics from the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency revealing cases of rape and assault.
In another incident in Jigawa State, a man allegedly assaulted a young girl in a restroom.
Dr. Adewumi Adeola emphasized the need to address sexual predation openly to prevent such incidents.
Here are some tips to protect oneself from sexual predators:
Break the silence: Encourage open conversations about sexual predation with family members to raise awareness and empower individuals to speak out.
Be alert to changes in conversation: Pay attention to any signs of harassment in interactions and distance yourself from uncomfortable situations.
Stay vigilant: Monitor interactions with children and be cautious of potential predators, especially those who exhibit concerning behavior.
Carry a self-defense tool: Keep protective items accessible for emergencies, such as tasers or pepper spray.
Inform others of your whereabouts: Share your location and stay in touch with loved ones when in unfamiliar settings.
Consider self-defense training: Learn basic self-defense techniques to enhance personal safety in vulnerable situations.
It is crucial for individuals, regardless of gender, to intervene and seek help when witnessing potential assault scenarios to prevent harm.