Call for Entries – Get Consent (Anthology of Poems and Essays on Rape and violence against women)

 

CALL FOR ENTRIES - CONSENT IS RAPE (ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS AND ARTICLES)

 

The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) in her bid to join the fight against rape in the country, has called for entries in form of poetry and articles from budding and established writers within and outside Nigeria.

UNICEF reported in 2015 that one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18. According to a survey by Positive Action for Treatment Access, over 31.4 percent of girls there said that their first sexual encounter had been rape or forced sex of some kind.

A four-year review of sexual assault cases at LASUTH that began in 2008 and ended in December 2012, showed that out of a total 287 reported cases of sexual assault, 83% of the victims were below the age of 19. A one-year survey conducted at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital between 2012 and 2013 revealed that 70% of sexual assault victims were under the age of 18. In the Enugu survey, majority of the victims knew their perpetrators and the assault occurred inside uncompleted buildings and the victims or perpetrators residence.

As writers, our primary job is to reflect and interpret happenings in our society; we must also provide inspiration and guidance in our writings. Our job therefore is to inform, to explain, to narrate, and to persuade. The function of a committed writer is to reveal the world so that every reader loses her innocence and assumes all her responsibilities in front of it. This anthology aim to combat violence against and the abuse of women.  To also change community attitudes to violence against women.

Writers are free to write on their personal experience or those of others in form of poetry and articles using any title of their choice.

Submission Rules

• Language Medium – English
• Genre – Poetry/Articles
• Theme – Rape and Police Brutality.
• Poems should be between the minimum of 20 lines and maximum of 40 lines while Essays should be between the minimum of 150 and the maximum of 300 words.

·         Entrants should send the following information alongside their entries

i. Name  

ii. Age

iii. Gender  

iv. Location  

 v. Phone Number  

vi. Where you heard about the Call for entries  

vii. Short Profile about yourself.

viii. Permission to publish your poem/essay (in one or two paragraphs)

ix. Name of school or university if any

• A Sentence of not more than 50 words describing the poem.
• Permission to publish your work among the shortlisted entries.
• Title of your mail should be addressed as “Raise your pen against Rape”
• All entries must be submitted to: raiseyourpenagainstrape@gmail.com and also copy societyofyoungnigerianwriters@gmail.com.
• Deadline for Submission is 1^st of October, 2020.
• Any signs of plagiarism will disqualify the entrant.
• Organizer’s decision is final

Benefits

• Award of Certificates of Participation to all Entrants.
• Award of Certificates of Excellence to only the shortlisted entrants.
• Only shortlisted work(s) will be published in e-book format
• Automatic membership into the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW).

·         For enquiries, please call: Coordinator - Angelica .C. Uwaezuoke - 08067308372, 08081496772,  Secretary - Innocent David' Chinaecherem – 08162434832,

 

RAISE YOUR PEN AGAINST RAPE CAMPAIGN

A project of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW).

 

What is Rape?

 

What is Rape? Was I Raped?

Rape is a heinous act performed when one party wishes to exact complete power and control over another. The definition of rape, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network is:

". . . forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object."

Rape is often known as "sexual assault" or "sexual abuse," particularly in the law. However, sexual assault and sexual abuse are defined more broadly whereas the term rape specifies intercourse.

Threats of violence or weapons may be used during rape but in about 8-out-of-10 cases, nothing but physical force is used. Weapons or threats are not required for an act to be considered rape.

It is important to know that either gender can be the perpetrator or the victim of rape. Additionally, both heterosexual and homosexual rapes take place both inside and outside of relationships. It's critical to understand that rape is never okay and that no matter the circumstance, rape is never the victim's fault.

Sexual Assault

It's also important to know that sexual activities short of rape performed without consent are also a crime. These crimes are generally known as "sexual assault." Sexual assault is defined as the following, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network:

". . . unwanted sexual contact that stops short of rape or attempted rape. This includes sexual touching and fondling."

Was I Raped?

Some victims of rape wonder about their specific circumstance and wonder if it constitutes rape. Chances are if you're wondering, "was I raped?" you probably were. Rape happens any time sexual intercourse takes place without your consent. Note that many circumstances can indicate your lack of consent including:

• An inability to give consent due to age
• An inability to give consent due to diminished capacity (perhaps due to a disability)
• An inability to give consent due to inebriation (typically due to ingesting drugs or alcohol)

And, of course, any time you say, "no" to intercourse and it is forced on you, that is rape. It doesn't matter if you said "no" in the middle of the act, it is still rape if the other party doesn't immediately stop and respect your wishes. You have the right to rescind consent at any time, under any circumstances.

Sometimes it is considered rape even if you do not say, "no" such as in the case where a weapon is used. Sometimes you are too concerned for your life or safety to say, "no." This is still considered rape. Threats against others may also constitute too grave a threat.

It still is considered rape even if:

• You didn't physically fight back
• You used to date or were friends with the perpetrator
• You are married or engaged to the rapist
• You do not remember the rape
• You willingly ingest drugs or alcohol

It is critical to remember that rape can happen to anyone in many situations but it is never the victim's fault – it is always the fault of the rapist.