Deputy Commissioner of Police in Borno, DCP Ahmad Bello, has called for stringent laws to prevent the withdrawal of rape and other sexual violence cases by victims’ relatives in court.
Bello made this appeal in Maiduguri during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue, organized by UN Women in collaboration with the Borno Ministry of Women Affairs.
Representing the Borno Police Command at the meeting, Bello said, “Another major issue that needs to be addressed is the culture of silence and stigmatization of rape and other sexual violence victims.
“We have seen instances where, while a sexual violence case is progressing, prosecutors receive court affidavits from victims’ relatives stating they want to withdraw the case.
“Such intentions to withdraw often stem from fear of stigmatization.
“In many instances, the victims want justice but are put in a dilemma by their relatives,” he added.
Bello called for laws to keep requests for case withdrawals under KIV (Keep in View) for a period to allow the victim to make a final decision on the matter.
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.
