Barrister Olaoye Condemns Increasing Rate of Sexual Assault
The Kwara State Coordinator for the National Human Rights Commission, Barrister Jumoke Olaoye has condemned the rate at which the alarming rate of sexual assault in the society.
Barrister Jumoke Olaoye stated this during the monthly Grand Rounds of the General Hospital Ilorin – an exercise designed to impart medical knowledge and provide inpatient care at the hospital.
She called for collaborative efforts of key stakeholders including the government to check the menace of sexual assault before it gets outhandands.
She also said that a constant sensitization of children and stiffer penalties for culprits are key to achieving a good result.
According to a statement issued by Press Secretary General Hospital Ilorin Fatima Baraje Ahmed Barrister Olaoye described sexual assault as an unwarranted sexual contract that is characterized by rape, unwarranted sexual touching, forcing the victim to perform sexual acts such as oral sex, penetration, kissing, consent obtained by force and under duress or by fear or harm.
Barrister Olaoye, who highlighted various provisions of the constitution and Acts that guarantee human rights, and the legal process involved in prosecuting the accused persons, observed that a lot is still required to be done by traditional heads, religious leaders and the media to arrest the ugly situation in the land.
She said the minimum penalty for persons caught in the act of sexual assault is between 3 and 14 years, according to penal code chapter 26, section 292, depending on whether or not there was insertion of male organs into female private parts, mouth, or anus.
“In the case of rape by two or more persons (gang rape), the offenders are each liable to life imprisonment without any option of fine. The law also awards appropriate compensations to the victim payable by the sexual offender as it considers fit in the circumstances,” she said, citing a few sections of the VAPP law 2020.
The human rights activist explained that from year 2022 to 2023 alone the state government through the Ministry of Justice, has convicted at least ten (10) offenders of sexual assaults, praising the government’s efforts so far.
“Presently in Kwara State, ten (10) offenders have been convicted of sexual assault offences from last year to this year. Their names are already in the register and database of sexual offenders in Kwara State. The register is domiciled in the Ministry of Justice,” she said.
Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee, Dr Obalowu, who represented the CMD, commended Barrister Olaoye for her wonderful enlightenment and prayed for her safety back to her destination.
Dr Zainab Abdulkadir and Dr Ibrahim Ramat from the Obstetrics and Gynaecology ( O&G) department also presented a paper at the event.
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