Christians urged to reject sexual violence, report abuse
Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Christians at the All Saints Methodist Church, Fegge, Onitsha, were, Sunday, urged to reject all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), instead promote a culture of respect and dignity for all individuals.
During a sensitization campaign to the Church by the advocacy team of the Anambra State Ministry of Justice supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) program 2 in the state, church members were advised to shun sexual abuse but report such cases to enable government track sexual offenders in the state.
Addressing the congregation, the team lead and Chairperson Service Providers and Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC), Rachael Yohanna, said reporting cases of sexual violence enables the state government to track and monitor convicted sex offenders for inclusion in the state and national Sexual Offender Register (SOR).
Yohanna explained that the register would help to track and monitor convicted sex offenders, noting that any person found guilty would be entered into the database.
“Any person found guilty of rape, defilement or other sexual offenses will be entered into the database, and their details will be circulated nationally,” she said.
Yohanna said the introduction of the sexual offender register is part of the state efforts to combat sexual violence and promote a culture of accountability.
She highlighted the state’s efforts to combat sexual violence and promote a culture of accountability, stating that the government has been working with various stakeholders to educate citizens on the dangers of sexual abuse and the importance of reporting cases to the relevant authorities for appropriate action.
Yohanna also emphasized the need for robust evidence to secure convictions, which she said can be obtained from designated centers in the state.
“We have to report the cases for the victims to get Justice. Our judicial system now has specialized courts in Awka that handle sexual abuse cases.
“To secure convictions, we require robust evidence, which can be obtained from centers like Ntasi Sexual Assault Centre, Enugwukwu or any General Hospital.”
She noted that the approach has already led to successful prosecutions, with some offenders receiving life imprisonment.
In her contribution, Mrs. Loveth Onyendileful introduced the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to the congregants, warning them against engaging in any form of human right abuse.
She urged worshippers to spearhead awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts in their families and neighborhoods to dismantle harmful gender norms and practices in the society.
