The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has signed the Sexual Violence Against Children bill, recently passed by the state’s House of Assembly, into law.
The law makes treatment and care for victims of sexual violence, compulsory, the state government said.
“First, by virtue of the ‘Compulsory Treatment and Care for Child Victims of Sexual Violence law, 2020’ a child victim of sexual violence in this State will have rapid access to a medical facility that can administer emergency medical treatment to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and counselling,” Mr Fayemi said.
This is coming at a time there is mounting outrage and protest against increase in sexual violence in the country. Many are calling for actions to end rape and other sexual violations.
“It is my view that there is a need for a national consensus on the issue. I will be engaging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum at our next meeting to determine what emergency measures can be put in place to address this crisis more effectively and on a national basis.
“Meanwhile, I will urge the House of Assembly to engage civil society and the private sector with a view to identifying urgent interventions in ending violence against women and girls that can be implemented without delay,” the governor added.
The state, recently, established a register for persons convicted of acts of sexual violence and adopted a policy of publicly naming and shaming convicted sex offenders. The governor said he had directed the Ministry of Justice to consider making the register accessible to the public.
“The Ministry of Justice is further directed to reaffirm state policy of opposing bail and rejecting plea bargain proposals from perpetrators of rape and child defilement. The State Government’s policy of ensuring that convicted sex offenders do not benefit from my power of prerogative of mercy remain in force,” Mr Fayemi concluded.
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