Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF), an NGO, on Thursday, urged the Nigerian youths to shun all forms of sexual violence particularly rape and Child Sex Abuses (CSA) for a greater and better future.
The president of the foundation, Ms. Halima Layeni, gave the advice in an interview in Lagos, describing rape and Child Sex Abuses as a huge violation of human rights.
Layeni, also founder of the foundation, said that rape and CSA were both injurious to the victim and perpetrator. She said, “Any sexual intercourse without consent is rape and it is injurious to both persons.
“The victims would be physically, emotionally and mentally hurt with attendant stigma, while predators would be shamed and imprisoned under the violence against persons prohibition (VAPP) Act”. The VAPP act is a law that guarantees protection of the rights of citizens from all forms of violence in Nigeria.
The main thrust of the law is to eliminate violence in private and public life; prohibit all forms of violence against persons, particularly women and girls who are disproportionately affected; provide maximum protection and effective remedies for victims; the punishment of offenders and for other related matters.
Layeni, therefore, advised youths, especially the males to always display honour in dealing with girls or women. she appealed to the young men to always treat girls as future mothers who deserved respect and protection.
According to her, boys and men should not act as predators but protectors of female counterparts. She explained that “I think it is more honourable to gently approach a lady if you admire her and seek her consent than forcing her or engaging in any act of sexual violence.”
The president of LAAF commended the states that had domesticated the 2015 VAPP Act, calling on others to do same. “Rape is any unlawful carnal knowledge of man or woman.
“While rape is not a new or strange criminal act globally; it assumed a threatening dimension following the economic challenges and hardships in the country,” she added.
