Ike Laments Low Prosecution Rate Of Offenders Of SDGV In Nigeria
…Advocates establishment of sexual offenses courts
The chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike has lamented the low prosecution rate of offenders of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the country.
This was as Ike noted that SGBV knows no boundaries as it transcends age, ethnicity, color, socioeconomic status, and geography.
Ike therefore called for the establishment of a government-funded scheme for victims of SGBV, saying it will go a long way in addressing the physical and emotional trauma of victims.
She also stressed that sexual-based violence is spreading fast across the country, stressing the need for collective effort from the government and critical stakeholders to tame the menace.
Ike, who stated these on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the launch of a publication, ‘Tears from the Grave’, an initiative by Men Against Rape Foundation, said that in spite of existing legislation imposing severe penalties for SGBV offenses, prosecution rates remain abysmally low.
In her words; “Victims often shy away from reporting due to fear of stigma and the arduous legal process. Shockingly, female adolescents living with HIV are disproportionately affected by this violence.
“The statistics are alarming as a recent survey in Nigeria revealed that 31.4 per cent of sexually active adolescent females and 5.7 per cent of males experienced forced sex (rape) at sexual initiation,” she stressed.
She described ‘Tears from the Grave,’ as a poignant publication by the Men Against Rape Foundation dedicated to the memory of victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
In her words; “I must commend the Men Against Rape Foundation and the organizers of this event for your commitment to shedding light on the harrowing experiences of SGBV victims. ‘Tears from the Grave’ demonstrates our collective resolve to confront and eradicate this pervasive issue”.
While calling for sustained efforts against the vice, Comrade Ike, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, said that the normalization of sexual violence is spreading like wildfire, leaving victims in unimaginable physical and psychological anguish.
Ike further said; “Every day, we are confronted with distressing accounts of girls and women enduring unspeakable trauma due to sexual violence. What’s even more disturbing is the growing trend of perpetrators committing murder, killing their victims after these heinous acts, an act that must be condemned in the strongest terms.
She lamented what she described as “the growing stigmatization” of victims by the larger society, stressing that while the list of victims in Nigeria is extensive, many cases remain unreported due to fear of stigma and inadequate support systems.
“I am particularly troubled by the absence of a government-funded compensation scheme for victims of sexual and violent crimes in Nigeria. This is a critical gap that demands urgent attention from our policymakers.
“Furthermore, civil society organizations such as the Men Against Rape Foundation play a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of SGBV victims and ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve.
“I call upon our lawmakers at the national and state levels to prioritize the establishment of Sexual Offenses Courts across the country, modelled after successful initiatives in Lagos and other regions.
“Together, let us stand united against SGBV. We must continue to strive for a society where every individual lives free from the fear of violence and injustice,” Ike enthused.