What do you do when you want to change the discourse around sexual assault, rape and violence against womxn? You rally your friends, start up an organization, and address the issues head-on. Meet The Survivor Project, a power team of seven Gen Z West African students who are hell-bent on kicking the various oppressive structures of patriarchy to the curb with their community-focused platform. With their no-holds-barred approach to addressing issues with no bs, they’re building a safe space online for healthy conversations about gender inequality, toxic masculinity and sexual awareness in Nigeria. From collaborations with sexual assault reference centres to educational IGTV live forums, The Survivor Project refuses to shy away from hard conversations. FEMME MAG spoke to Afua (18), Bella (17), Adaora (17), Omozusi (18), Bukunmi (17), Jessica (18) and Ola (17) about social media as a form of activism, education about consent in schools and why the conversation never ends online.
What inspired you guys to start The Survivor Project?
Jess: The Survivor Project is a group created to raise money for survivors of sexual assault in Nigeria and more recently, Ghana. We donate supplies to local sexual health centres such as the Mirabel Centre. My mum and her friends visited a rape refuge centre in Lagos that housed girls who had experienced sexual violence in their homes and were unsafe. Hearing the horrific stories of these girls who were no older than us made us eager to help in any way possible.
Omozusi: I think another thing that encouraged us to start was realizing just how close to home this issue is. Whether it’s through rape, nudes being leaked, unwanted groping at a party or coercion by someone close to you, sexual assault is an issue that affects so many women and men around the world.
Do you feel like social media, especially in Nigeria where there’s little faith in the judicial system, is an effective tool to achieve your goals?
Adaora: One of the most commendable attributes of social media is the fact that it has brought about a new age of activism as the world becomes increasingly reliant on technology. Given that our target demographic (teenagers and young adults) are found on social media, it has definitely been an incredible platform that has helped ensure us that the conversation, be it about sexual assault or gender inequality, never ends.
Ola: I think social media can only do so much. If these rapists are not being placed in jail, what we do can only improve the situation to a small extent.
Bukunmi: I agree with Ola. We are doing our best but nothing is enough until we see more people taking an active role in calling people out, and the number of cases starts dropping. I think that social media creates channels where important conversations can be had but sadly it also amplifies the voices of the villains of the movement – rape apologists, people who make false accusations and, unfortunately, the rapists themselves.
How do you plan on reaching an audience that is not found online?
Afua: We have plans to collaborate with already established organisations on some more community outreach programmes. It’s difficult to reach as far and wide as we would like to but we’re moving closer to our goals. We’re always open to ideas and suggestions from anyone on how we can reach more remote communities!
What roles do you think that secondary schools and universities can play in dismantling rape culture?
Bella: Young people need to be taught about the importance of consent- whether this is incorporated into mandatory sex education classes, or a separate initiative altogether. In addition to consent, the importance of accountability should be emphasised. Rather than teach young girls to dress “appropriately” in order to avoid an encounter with sexual violence, it’s important to educate young people about respect and consent.
Bukunmi: In my secondary school, we were taught a lot about ‘safe sex’ in the context of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. However, it’s almost as if people forget that consent is also a part of what makes sex safe.
Omozusi: I think schools and universities also need to learn to punish people for sexual assault. There have been too many cases of the victim facing punishment while the sexual assaulter(s) walk free.
In my secondary school, we were taught a lot about ‘safe sex’ in the context of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. However, it’s almost as if people forget that consent is also a part of what makes sex safe
Bukunmi
Can you recommend any resources that have helped educate you guys about systems and structures that contribute to sexual assault and harassment?
Ola: I would definitely recommend the videos that are currently on our IGTV! It’s a good way to understand the systems and structures that contribute to sexual assault and harassment.
Bukunmi: I wish I could shout out every single person that has made one of those informative threads on Twitter that are constantly circulating on social media! Researching/ reading books and articles on patriarchal norms definitely make people more self-aware.
Bella: There are several programmes and documentaries on Netflix which explore the different aspects of sexual violence, including the systems and structures that contribute to it. We recently posted a few of our recommendations on our Instagram page with recommendations such as, ‘Roll Red Roll’ and ‘Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’.
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What do you have to say to men looking for effective ways to be allies to this movement?
Afua: To all men looking to be allies of the movement, the best thing you can do is hold your friends accountable for their actions. Actively challenge the mindset that objectifies women. Actively challenge the mindset that demeans and belittles male survivors. Actively challenge toxic masculinity. Not only can this help to reduce the incidence of violence against women, but it can help to create a safer space for male survivors to come forward. There is so much you can do.
Omozusi: I think that for men, besides raising awareness and using your voice, donating to the cause etc, it’s essential that you internalize all the information you learn and practice what you preach. Supporting the cause is no use if you don’t integrate these values into your everyday life. Call out people around you, don’t allow people to get away with assault or make excuses for them.
Jess: I would say to any boy or man that is trying to join the movement, that they should feel free to contact the Survivor Project. Oftentimes, there are men trying to join the movement but do not know how, or they feel that it’s a women’s issue. However, that is not the case at all, The Survivor Project is a platform for ALL people fighting against rape and sexual violence.
Bukunmi: I’ve put together a short and very comprehensible list:
- Please listen. This is only a fight or an attack if you refuse to listen and take what victims and allies have to say seriously.
- Stop trying to play devil’s advocate. There is no time to think about what would happen if it was the other way round or any other hypotheticals when important real-life issues are the topic of conversation.
- Recognize that all acts of violence and assault against all genders and races are and should be taken seriously.
What’s next for The Survivor Project?
Ola: We are currently looking into funding vocational training for survivors seeking help from the Mirabel Centre. We are also planning on providing free drink check wristbands at parties in Lagos in the near future. Other than that, we just want to keep spreading knowledge, and to continue the conversation surrounding sexual assault.
Afua: We have several projects underway. These include collaborations with other organisations, expansion, projects aimed at helping survivors become more financially independent of their abusers, as well as projects focused on preventing assault and rape. More information about these projects will all be accessible in due time- there have been delays due to COVID-19 but steady progress is still being made.
Follow @the.survivor.project on Instagram for more information about how you can get involved.
