A deputy commissioner of police in Borno, DCP Ahmad Bello, has called for stringent laws to stop the withdrawal of rape and other sexual violence cases by relations of victims in court.

He made the call in Maiduguri in his contribution at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue, organised by UN Women in collaboration with the Borno Ministry of Women Affairs.

Mr Bello said, “Another major thing that needs to be addressed is the culture of silence and stigmatisation of rape and other sexual violence victims. We have seen instances while a sexual violence case is progressing, prosecutors will get court affidavits from victims’ relations saying they want to withdraw the case.

”Such intentions to withdraw have to do with fear of stigmatisation. In many instances, the victims want justice but are put in a dilemma by their relations.”

Mr Bello called for laws to keep requests to withdraw the cases under KIV for some time to enable the victim to decide finally.

He urged UN Women and other stakeholders to sponsor a bill to address some of the loopholes slowing the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in society. 

(NAN)