Female Lawyer Calls For Concerted Action Against Sexual Assault

A Bayelsa State based
lawyer, Miss Doumiete Gabriel, has called for a concerted action by all to stem the incidence of rape, defilement and indecent assault,  which she said were on the increase in the Niger Delta states in recent times.
Miss Gabriel, who stated this while speaking with The Tide in Port Harcourt Monday, noted that it was no longer time for the society to be indifferent to sex-related violence against the females.
She noted that many mature men were insane becoming insure with regard to sex related violence against the females. “Even grand fathers dare to defile  toddlers. The temerity  is unbecoming in the 21st century.
Barr. Gabriel attributed the rise in sexual assault to the lack of prosecution of offenders.
According to her, “most cases of sexual assault are settled out of court by parents who are unwilling to bring their daughters to ridicule.”
She said the scenario had made it easier for suspects and accused persons to go scot free.
Barr Gabriel expressed regrets that accused person often do not go through trials as their matters are settled out of court.
She said that out of court settlement tended to benefit parents who demand ransoms in the short run but was not useful to the society.
She said it was only a full prosecution that would deter criminals and urged women lawyers to continue to pursue prosecution of offenders.

Chidi Enyie