Crime
THE National Association of Seadogs, Pyrate Confraternity (Sahara Deck) Abuja, has called on the National Assembly (NASS) and other relevant authorities to look into the possibility of amending the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015.
In a communiqué signed by the Steerer, Abuja City Centre, Mr Obiekwe Isaac, the association wants the amendment of the act to accommodate in particular the report of rape incidents that happened in the past.
The communiqué was issued at the end of its recent online meeting to celebrate the association 2020 Annual Feast of Barracuda (FOB).
The 2020 celebration was tagged: “Rape and Domestic Abuse in Nigeria: Criminal Justice System, Stigmatisation and Victim’s Post-Traumatic Challenges”.
According to the communiqué, the act of shyness of a rape victim’s permits the non-reportage of a rape incident that happened in the past.
It, however, called on the NASS and other relevant authorities to review and amend the VAPP Act to allow rape victim’s report such past cases and make it fresh again.
“Historical rape, that is the past rape cases are not reported, owing to the prevalent culture of victim shyness, and this discourages many victims from making early report of incidents.
“This trend only enables and empowers the perpetrators to continue the heinous crime, our association plans to approach NASS along with NGO’s to push for an urgent amendment.
“This is to create a robust legislative and legal framework to combat the issue of rape and gender-based violence,” it said.
The communiqué said that the association also plans to initiate a process to push at the state Houses of Assembly the domestication of the VAPP Act in their various states.
It said that it would also provide a contact telephone numbers of partners’ organisations where victims of rape and gender-based violence could get legal support to get justice.
The association also called for the domestication of Child’s Right Act by all states of the federation to stem the rising cases of rape and sexual abuse of children.
NAN
– Jul. 6, 2020 @ 13:15 GMT |
Tags: Rape: Pyrates want NASS to amend the VAPP Act
