“I Was R*ped by a Colleague” – Lolo 1 Shares Painful Story, Opens Up on Trauma and Society’s Silence Culture

Nigerian media personality and actress Omotunde Adebowale-David, popularly known as Lolo 1, has revealed her harrowing experience of being sexually assaulted by a male colleague in the broadcasting industry—an ordeal that, she says, left her deeply traumatised.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Say My Piece podcast, which she co-hosts, Lolo bravely opened up about the emotional weight of her silence and the lasting psychological scars she continues to battle.

“I have been rped only once in my life, and I was rped by a colleague. I see him every other day. Do you know how traumatised I am? When I see him, I just get into this momentary panic,” she shared, her voice heavy with pain.

The actress admitted that fear of public backlash and victim-blaming has prevented her from naming the perpetrator, who remains an established figure in the broadcasting industry and now occupies a prominent TV position.

“Won’t people say, ‘How come I didn’t speak about it for all these six years until now?’” she asked rhetorically, addressing the widespread stigma survivors often face when they delay speaking out.

🧠 Opinion: Why Lolo’s Voice Matters – And Why We Must Listen

Lolo 1’s courage in sharing her story is not just commendable—it’s necessary. Her experience shines a light on a deeply uncomfortable truth: many victims of sexual assault remain silent, not because they want to, but because society conditions them to.

The fear of not being believed, of being shamed, or of being accused of seeking attention—all contribute to a culture that protects predators and punishes survivors. In Lolo’s case, the perpetrator walks freely in the same industry, while she battles the trauma in silence. That is not justice.

Her words echo what many survivors feel: denial, self-blame, and the crushing fear of what others might say. And perhaps most painfully, the knowledge that if they speak, their truth could be twisted into something else—especially if the accused is powerful or popular.

🔍 We Need a Cultural Reset

This is more than just Lolo’s story—it is a mirror for society. For the Nigerian entertainment industry, and indeed for workplaces around the world, this moment is a call to action. When will we start creating safe spaces for women to speak out without fear? When will institutions stop enabling silence for the sake of reputation?

Sexual assault should never be a taboo topic. Every survivor deserves to be heard, believed, and supported—not questioned, silenced, or ignored.

💬 Final Thoughts

Lolo’s story is heartbreaking, but it’s also empowering. By choosing to speak, even partially, she has reclaimed a piece of her voice. And in doing so, she may inspire countless others to find theirs.

Let’s not wait for another high-profile story to erupt before we take sexual violence seriously. The time to listen, support, and believe survivors is now.

🕯️ To Lolo and every survivor who’s still silent—we see you, we believe you, and your story matters.

What are your thoughts on how society treats survivors who speak out late? And how can we create safer environments for people to share without fear of backlash?