Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) says lack of database on sex offenders in the country provides an opportunity for more paedophiles to continue in the act.

Ms Chioma Blessing, Program Manager, Health and Social Inclusion of the organisation made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Blessing noted that the challenge of stigmatising the victims after such experiences remained a major factor for under reporting, especially in a society where blaming was the norm.

She added that such practices had prompted more paedophiles to increase in number with the confidence of them going scot free.

“The facts and figures of sexual molestation in the country are very grim with less than 18 per cent of reported case with the police.

“You will be shocked to see a paedophile who committed an offence in Lagos for instance and escapes to another state to be gainfully employed by another employer or get admission in a tertiary institution.

“The major reason that makes things like this to continue is because of the stigmatisation victims always face.

“Some resulting in rejection by families, friends and communities with police sometimes unwilling to make official report.

“Due to this stigma, women and adolescents may be unwilling to obtain a medical examination to substantiate their reports of rape.

“Low reporting results in high rates of rape cases which in turn underscores the need for specific actions to address sexual violence and to stem the tide on potential risks of HIV transmission.

“To end this ugly trend, we have to report this set of people so that victims can get justice,’’ she said.

Blessing added that making rape a capital offence with protracted prison terms is paramount to discourage the menace and potential paedophiles. (NAN)

– Oct. 31, 2018 @ 12:25 GMT |