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Actor Deyemi Okanlawon has voiced his support for Nigerian singer Simi following the backlash she faced over her comments on rape, standing firmly by her position that survivors’ voices should never be dismissed.
The controversy began on February 18 when a TikToker known as Mirabel posted a video claiming she had been raped.
The video quickly went viral, attracting nationwide attention and condemnation. However, as details emerged, the claim was later said to be false, creating a divide in public opinion.
Amid the unfolding debate, Simi took to social media to speak out on the broader issue of sexual violence, emphasizing that fear of false accusations should not silence victims.
In a series of posts on X, the 37-year-old singer stressed the prevalence of sexual assault, noting, “Almost every woman I know personally has been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.”
She went on to argue that while false claims do occur, they should never be used to invalidate the experiences of real survivors.
“You can’t think it’s okay to shut people up from speaking up about assault because some people lie,” she wrote, prompting reflection on societal attitudes toward sexual violence.
Simi also highlighted the responsibility men have to hold one another accountable. “Men should hold other men accountable. Many of you create safe spaces for your friends’ perverted and wicked behavior because ‘I’m not like that,’” she stated.
She illustrated the fear women live with daily, revealing, “I take a pepper spray when I walk outside alone or with my daughter. Do you think I’m scared of other women?”
Her strong stance, however, did not come without criticism. Following the revelation that Mirabel’s claim was false, some internet users accused Simi of being insensitive.
Old tweets from 2012 resurfaced, in which she joked about interactions with children at a daycare. These tweets were taken out of context, and some users went as far as labeling her a pedophile and calling for her cancellation, with a derogatory nickname briefly trending online.
In response to the backlash, actor Deyemi Okanlawon took to his X page to repost one of Simi’s statements, reinforcing her message.
He highlighted her position that when women say “STOP RAPING WOMEN,” the conversation should focus solely on that point. According to him, Simi’s comments were meant to draw attention to the real victims of sexual violence rather than engage in debates about false claims.
By standing with Simi, Deyemi reinforced the importance of amplifying the voices of survivors while condemning rape unequivocally. The actor’s support underlines a growing awareness in Nigeria’s entertainment industry of the societal responsibility celebrities have in shaping discussions around sensitive issues.
Despite the backlash, Simi continues to advocate for victims’ rights, emphasizing that speaking up is crucial for justice and societal change.
Her statements, coupled with the support of peers like Deyemi Okanlawon, underscore the ongoing fight against sexual violence and the need for accountability, understanding, and empathy in discussions surrounding abuse.
This incident serves as a reminder that while misinformation can complicate public discourse, the voices of those speaking against sexual violence should remain central, and support from public figures like Deyemi can help shift conversations in the right direction.
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