FG unveils sexual offenders register, urges victims to report cases to police
The Federal Government in collaboration with strategic partners has unveiled the Nigeria sexual offenders register.
The register which will have the pictures and all particulars of convicted sexual offenders in the country will also have a section that offenders who were never convicted will be displayed for an administrative fee.
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said that the exact number of cases of sexual abuse victims are difficult to confirm because when women come forward, they are called liars and troublemakers.
The Vice President who urged Nigerians to speak up or go to the police when they witness a sexual assault incident said that one of the steps to take in eradicating sexual abuse includes challenging degrading reference to women.
Prof. Osinbajo said this on Monday in Abuja, at the official launch of the sex offenders register by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with the partners.
The Vice President who was represented at the occasion by the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata said, “Although times and context may differ, women and girls all the world experience rape and sexual violence abuse but only a small percentage of these get reported because when women come forward, they are still called liars, trouble makers and their names are blacklisted which is why the exact number of sexual abuse victims are difficult to confirm, which leads to stigma towards survival and their subsequent sidelining.