Actress Stephanie Linus addresses allegations against her brother

Stephanie Linus has released a statement addressing
the rape allegations against her older brother, Daniel
Okereke, who was arrested for allegedly raping a
UNILAG student named Arinola. Like any
right thinking woman, Stephanie is devastated by
this. See her statement below..

"Rape is Rape, Regardless of Who
the Face of the Accused is" - Stephanie Linus

I am distraught and devastated to hear of the
recent allegation of rape brought against a relative
of mine, Daniel Okereke (my brother).
While it is a very difficult time for me, and my
family; I feel the need to make clear my position,
lest there be any doubt. Rape is rape,
regardless of who the face of the accused is.

Indeed, the irony is not lost on me. I have spent my
lifelong career advocating and living my conviction
that women around the world should be able to live
free of violence, sexual harassment or any form
of abuse against their persons. This conviction led
me to be involved in numerous initiatives combating
violence against women in several countries
including the U.S, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The conviction also led me to place much of my
energy on my work with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF),
a passion that dates back to my time at
the University of Calabar.

As a student, I heard a story about young girls who
had been forced into early marriage and were
suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of
VVF. The story stayed in my consciousness and drove
me, for years, to seek ways to raise awareness on the
condition; leading to my work with a team of
dedicated doctors to carry out repair surgeries for
VVF victims across the country; and my self-
produced, soon to be released movie, 'DRY.'

So, again, it is indeed heart breaking for me to
receive and deal with news alleging a family member
of mine is an alleged perpetrator of sexual violence
against a woman. I am devastated.

This case is now in Nigeria's criminal justice system
as the accused awaits arraignment. I have also
encouraged and assured the alleged victim of my
stance against rape and applaud her for her bravery
to upset the culture of silence, in Nigeria; even as I
accord deference and patiently wait for the criminal
justice system to determine the guilt or innocence of
my brother.

For Nigerian press and blogs; I call on you to please
report this case in an ethical manner. I am a married
woman living my life. The alleged transgression of
my relative does not make it mine. The focus should
be the impact of rape on the alleged victim, and
resources for other alleged victims, not me.

Some members of the press and blogs have turned
me into the accuser; using my name for sensational
headlines and putting my images, exclusively, in their
stories. This is a form of victimization of me as a
woman, its unethical and extremely hurtful. I am not
the alleged accused.

I therefore please ask all bloggers and the media who
have placed my pictures and name to this story to
refrain from further using me to sensationalise this
story.

I thank my fans, and all well-wishers for your
continued support and ask for your continued
prayers.

God bless.