The International Federation of Female Lawyers in Osun has urged defenders of rape victims to ensure that suspects are prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.
The plea was made by the state coordinator of FIDA, Mrs Damilola Olabiyi, during the quarterly meeting of the Adolescent and Young People’s Health and Development Technical Working Group on Tuesday in Osogbo.
She stressed the need for swift and decisive action in rape cases, urging human rights advocates to insist that the police and other law enforcement agencies file charges under the VAPP Law rather than the Criminal Procedure Law.
Olabiyi noted that the Criminal Procedure Law downplays rape by limiting it to vaginal penetration, leaving several grey areas unaddressed.
She said, “The Criminal Procedure Law limits rape to vaginal penetration. The VAPP Law recognises penetration through the vagina, anus, or mouth and also covers the rape of boys”.
Olabiyi added that acts such as spiking a person’s drink to induce sex are also recognised as rape under the VAPP Law.
In her remarks, the Adolescents Health Desk Officer at the Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, said that the VAPP Law protects everyone, not just women and children.
Akinlabi added that stakeholders had been sensitised to advocate for inclusive programmes that cater to adolescents, including the boy-child, to curb cases of rape and abuse in communities.
Follow the OSUNDOTLIFE channel on WhatsAppKindly share this story | All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from OSUNDOTLIFE.
Contact: editor@osun.life
WhatsApp: 📲 +2348092333666