Violence Act Bill:  Stakeholders Want Special Courts, Tough Sanctions

Offenders of the proposed Violence Against Persons (VAP) bill 2019 may face special courts and stiffer penalties.
Stakeholders at the public hearing of the bill last Thursday at the Rivers State House of Assembly are proposing stiffer fines and penalities.
The stakeholders made up of women and civil society groups, including Nigerian Bar Association and International Federal of Women Lawyers(FIDA) hailed the bill which seeks to domesticate a similar law passed by the National Assembly in 2015.
Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Atosemi Eson –Teetito, had advocated for a special court to try offenders adding that, “ penalties against offenders should be tough to serve as deterrence for others “.
Representative of African Women Lawyers Association, Hilda Desmond Nkeleiriari reasoned that the domestication of the VAP bill will serve as paneacea to the various crimes committed against women and children.
She proposed that victimisation of people at the workplace, sexual abuse that involves using of substances to induce another party should be included in the bill.
Nkeleiriari added, “ Section 14(A) should cover children and their dependants.”
State President of FIDA, Ngozi Ighosieve recommended that a sexual offender register be established in the judiciary.
In the view of the FIDA president,” a sexual offender register should be opened in the state as a warning sign for the public. It will go a long way in deterring offenders”.
The FIDA president and Chairperson of the Medical Women Association and Coordinator of Rivers State Gender Based Response Team, Dr. Betty Agala speaking through Derby Effiong advocated that the fine be increased to N10 million or 10years imprisonment.
Their view was based on the fact that wealthy people could walk free from such offence by paying paltry sums of 100,000 or N500,000 as provided by the bill.
Besides, instead of confining culprits to the prison, they preferred that offenders should be compelled to do community social service and as such shame hardened ones who would be exposed to public ridicule.
They Stressed that such would also decongest prisons as well.
Mr. Eugene Abels of Extra Steps Initiative recommended penalties for state actors.
Mr. Abels decried police personnel’s attitude towards victims, and emphasised the need for what he called “ post incident care”.
In his words, “ It’s the duty of the state to protect victims and we should provide such in our laws.”
Chairman of the Adhoc Committee on VAP bill and member representing Asari Toru II, Hon Enemi George Alabo said the bill caters for infractions to all persons in society, especially offences that may not be captured in the criminal code.