The Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike, is calling on lawmakers at both the national and state levels to prioritize the establishment of sexual offences courts across Nigeria to combat the widespread issue of sexual abuse in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the book “Tears from the Grave” by journalist Lemmy Ugbegbe, organized by the Men Against Rape Foundation, Ike emphasized the need for these courts to be modeled after successful initiatives in Lagos and other regions. The book, a collection of poems on sexual and gender-based violence dedicated to victims like Keren-Happuch Aondodoo Akpagher, aims to raise awareness about the urgent need to address this societal vice.
Ike praised the efforts of the Men Against Rape Foundation and event organizers for shining a light on the traumatic experiences faced by survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. She expressed concern over the alarming statistics on sexual abuse in Nigeria, highlighting a recent survey that revealed shocking figures of forced sex experienced by adolescent females and males.
The normalization of sexual violence in the country is a growing concern, with victims suffering both physically and psychologically. Ike condemned the trend of perpetrators resorting to murder after committing these heinous acts, emphasizing the need for strong condemnation of such actions.
Despite existing legislation with severe penalties for sexual and gender-based violence offenses, prosecution rates remain low due to underreporting fueled by fear of stigma and lack of support systems. Ike called for urgent attention from policymakers to address the absence of a government-funded compensation scheme for victims of sexual and violent crimes in Nigeria.
She also acknowledged the crucial role played by civil society organizations like the Men Against Rape Foundation in advocating for the rights of SGBV victims and ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve. Ike expressed gratitude to Lemmy Ugegbe and the dedicated team at the Men Against Rape Foundation for their unwavering commitment to seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse.
