Ex-Big Brother Naija housemate, Natasha Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has cautioned against false rape allegations, warning that such claims undermine genuine victims and weaken the fight against sexual violence.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday, Tacha referenced the recent case of a TikTok user, Mirabel, who admitted to fabricating a rape allegation.
“Rape is a very serious issue. Women should never weaponise rape for any reason, because at the end of the day, you are taking away from the real victims,” she said.
Tacha argued that false accusations make it more difficult for survivors of sexual assault to be believed and could embolden rape apologists.
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She also called for accountability, stating, “If any girl comes out to accuse a guy falsely of raping her, I honestly think she should be taught a lesson.”
While acknowledging that mental health challenges may play a role in some situations, the reality TV star maintained that penalties are necessary to emphasise the gravity of false allegations.
“I am not going to back down from the fact that women still do get raped. I am not going back down from the fact that there are real victims out there,” she added.
Tacha further highlighted the emotional and psychological toll of false claims on both the accused and the wider society, noting that such allegations “toy with your mental health,” while stressing the need to protect and support genuine victims of rape.