The Nigerian Senate has noted the frightening increase in cases of sexual violence, notably rape where more than half of the victims are minors, children below the age of consent.

The Senate also pointed out the need to investigate the alarming rate of rape and sexual assault against women, children and vulnerable people across the country.

Sponsor of the motion, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Deputy Senate Leader representing Kebbi South, during plenary on Tuesday, further noted that in most cases, the perpetrators constitute a serious security threat to the larger segment of the society and are severely underreported.

He expressed concern that, the perversion is spreading across the country, with both the male and female gender as victims especially in view of the poor prosecution and number of convictions being turned out.

“Further worried by statistics released by Lagos State Government , as reported in ThisDay Newspapers on April 24, 2017,stating that 1,480 cases of domestic violence ranging from rape , child abuse , sexual abuse , assaults, defilement, and matrimonial issues in a space of two years.

“Recall publications by Human Rights Watch of 6th November, 2016 alleging that government officials raped and sexually abused women and girls who survived Boko-Haram violence which incidence has not been legally concluded to serve as deterrent.

“We are disturbed that on a nearly daily basis our newspapers are awash with reports of rape and other sexual violence,” he said.

Na’Allah further observed that, these acts portray the country in bad light and are alien to both the cultural and religious orientation of the people of Nigeria and Africa at large.

The 7^th Senate had passed the Violence Against Person (Prohibition) VAPP Act 2015 and the 8^th Senate has passed the Sexual Offences in Tertiary Institutions Prohibition Bill 2016 to combat the perversion.

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce while supporting the motion said a time will come when 70% of Nigerian women may be raped if drastic measures are not taken.

He said rape is a very serious issue that constitutes a gross violation of human right and a psychological effect on the victims.

Senator Biodun Olujimi, while thanking Na’Allah for the motion, said as a gender effected by the menace, time has come for the Senate to ensure that the laws against rape are strengthened before it destroys the society.

“Anyone that is rapped gets disoriented. In Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna in Kano people are rapped on a daily basis,” she said.

The Senate presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu accordingly resolved that the Inspector General of Police should investigate and prosecute cases of sexual abuse, violation, violence in line with the provision of the extant laws of the federation.

The Senate also mandated Senate Committee on Health, Women Affairs and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matter to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to resolving the issue.

They urged all heads of courts to revisit the sentencing policy on all sexual offences and domestic violence to address the seriousness it deserves.

The Senate also urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Person (NAPTIT) and paramilitary agencies to establish functional help desk to provide assistance and support to victims as well as handle such cases.

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