RAPE INCIDENTS: A'Ibom VAPP Law Will Put Females In Trouble - FoCEHRaDA

By UbongAbasi Ise

The Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights and Development Advancement, FoCEHRaDA, is of view that the encompassing nature of the recently passed Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law in Akwa Ibom State will increase the possibilities of women becoming culpable of rape incidents.

In a recent statement by the executive director of FoCEHRaDA, Barr. Clifford Thomas, the law, being a clear departure from the regular manner of dealing with rape case, will reduce frame-ups, making both the female and male gender susceptible of being raped by any gender.

"The Law is a clear departure from conventional rape. It posits that both the female and male gender could be raped. Rape is not just where the female gender is molested, and forceful carnal knowledge had of her. It goes beyond. The insertion of any erect object into the orifice or opening in the body of a person, without consent, amounts to rape. The law gives the offence of Rape, a more comprehensive definition, which is all encompassing. 

"Anybody could be a victim of rape, according to the law. The situation where the male gender is seen as the prime suspect or accused person in rape proceedings has changed. Frame-ups in Rape are reduced now. Both the female and male gender are susceptible of being raped by any gender. The law is very comprehensive," the statement reads.


FoCEHRaDA lauded the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for passing the Bill, to give vent to the yearnings of the people, adding that "the previous law in the Criminal Code Laws of Akwa Ibom State had gaps that were exploited, thereby, rendering it weak. 

The rights group believes the penalty for convicts of Life Imprisonment would serve as sufficient deterrent to persons who would otherwise want to rape by using an erect object(s) to penetrate the orifice of another.


It further commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for assenting to the Bill passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA).

  Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Aniekan Edem, also won the heart of the human rights body as the group lauded him for the industry he applied to the  sensitive and important piece of legislation. FoCEHRaDA also acknowledged the contribution of  the Deputy Speaker of the state assembly, Mrs. Felicia Bassey, for painstakingly gathering stakeholders to support the Bill.


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