Reported rapes in Nigeria have tripled during the COVID-19 pandemic to a few thousand, but the U.N. Children’s Fund says one in four girls have been victims of sexual violence – meaning countless thousands of rapes are going unreported. A Nigerian programmer has created an application for rape survivors to report the attacks and seek help while avoiding social stigma. The SmartRR app allows rape victims to report the crime to authorities without going to the police in person. Users can also get counseling and support online. It effectively shields the identity of women who previously wouldn’t report the rape due to fear or stigma. The app is currently operational in the states of Adamawa, Cross Rivers, Lagos and Borno.
SOURCE: VOA
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