The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ogun State, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, has expressed worry over the withdrawal of gender-based violence cases from court by parents of the victims.
She said withdrawing court cases due to perceived victimisation and stigmatisation of the victims would re-enforce those committing such heinous acts.
The commissioner stated this while speaking with newsmen on the arrest of a 76-year-old man, David Ogunsanwo, who defiled a 16-year-old girl, among other cases in the state.
“We are aware that cases of violation and abuse are increasing. There’s a huge increase in these kinds of crimes, especially against children.
“We hold a lot of sensitisation. There is no quarter that we don’t hold sensitisation across the state. The result of our sensitisation is what the other lady did by calling our numbers,” he said.
She, however, appealed to parents of victims to desist from withdrawing cases from the court, owing to victimisation, saying doing so would encourage the violators to do more.
She noted that for cases already in court, her ministry will follow it through while ensuring justice for victims.
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