…Vows Stiffer Penalties for Sexual Crimes
By Gloria Osemudiamhen
In a renewed commitment to upholding the safety of residents, the Edo State Government through the Office of the First Lady, has declared zero tolerance for sexual violence and all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) assuring that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted to the full extent of the Law.
Responding to questions on sexual and GBV from the press in her Office at the Government House in Benin City, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State GBV Management Committee, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, reiterated the administration’s position that such offences are no longer treated as private matters, but as crimes against humanity that demand swift justice. She also outlined the measures introduced at curbing the menace to ensure adequate protection and support for victims.
“Zero tolerance means zero tolerance. If you are caught and proven guilty, you will face the full weight of the law. The State will not shield anyone, no matter who you are,” the Coordinator stated.
Mrs. Anani attributed the rise in reported GBV cases over the past 18 months to increased awareness and public confidence in the system, not to an increase in the crime itself. According to her, “GBV has always existed. The difference now is that survivors have the courage to speak out because they understand it is a crime with consequences. Silence is no longer an option.” She disclosed that in response, the Committee has ramped up sensitization and advocacy across churches, markets, schools, and traditional institutions with one core message that GBV is a crime and must be reported.
To tackle the disturbing trend of younger victims, she mentioned that the Committee has established GBV clubs in primary schools. She stated that statistics show children as young as four are being abused, while some perpetrators are also minors who do not yet understand the wrong in their actions.
On prosecution, Mrs. Anani said the Committee was working with the State Attorney General to establish special and speedy courts dedicated solely to GBV cases, similar to the courts set up for kidnapping. She also highlighted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law, which prescribes up to 12 years imprisonment for rape and for accomplices. To ensure widespread understanding, she emphasized that the Law has been translated into five major languages: English, Pidgin, Bini, Esan, and Etsako. “The VAPP Law covers sexual violence, financial deprivation, and harmful traditional practices. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” she submitted.
Mrs. Anani added that the crackdown aligns with the SHINE Agenda of the Sen. Monday Okpebholo-led administration, where Security and Justice are key pillars designed to guarantee that every Edo resident lives free from violence