NAPTIP Prosecutes 2,100 Sexual Offenders
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NAPTIP Prosecutes 2,100 Sexual Offenders
By Kaosara Oladimeji Olayemi
Over 2,100 cases of sexual and gender-based violence were prosecuted in 2020, according to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Dame Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs, made the remarks at the presentation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) VAPP Act 2015 implementation report in Abuja on Saturday.
According to data obtained from the Nigeria Police Force, there were 155 convictions in the country for sexual and gender-based assault crimes.
The report said, between 2019 and 2020, there was an increase in sexual and gender-based violence across the country, with at least 14,970 survivors receiving assistance from sexual assault referral centres.
Tallen described the current increase in physical, psychological, and emotional abuse against women and children as “disheartening and alarming.”
“For one reported case, I can assure you that 10 other cases are not reported. It is time we break the cultural cycle silence and encourage survivors to speak out while giving them all the support they need and ensuring that justice is being served,” she said.
The Minister commended the agency and all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the 2015 VAPP act.
She said, “The fight of sexual and gender-based violence is no small feat. Therefore, it is important that all agencies collaborate and co-ordinate on strategies that will bring an end to it.”
In her opening remarks, Director-General of NAPTIP, Dr. Fatima Waziri-Azi, said the agency will continue to work with its sister agencies in ensuring that survivors of sexual-gender based violence get the support and help they need.
