HIGH RATE OF SEXUAL ABUSE - An Abuja-based lawyer, Ms Oluwatoyin Falaiye, on Thursday tasked the government at all levels to consider capital punishment for convicted rapists.

She also called for urgent action by government to review laws on sex offence in Nigeria.

Falaiye, founder of Jewels Hive Initiative, a non-governmental organisation who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, particularly urged the government to establish a law to prosecute sexual abuses in minors.

She lamented the high rate of sexual abuse in the country, especially among minors in primary and secondary schools.

“Governments at all levels should be able to muster the courage to review these laws. If prompt action is taken on those found guilty, such acts of sexual indiscretion will be minimised.

She also urged the Federal Government to consider capital punishment for rapists.

Falaiye said that domesticating such laws would drastically reduce the rate of occurrence.

She further called on parents to build and develop better relationship with their children and show them enough love and understanding, noting that such would make them open up to parents.

According to her, this fight is beyond one person, it is a national clarion call.

The lawyer said that Jewels Hive Initiative was an awareness and advocacy based NGO that serves as a voice for victims of sex abuse and sexual violence.

She said that the organisation provides a safe space for victims of sex abuse in order to help them attain healing through counsel, mentoring and therapy.

She added that the NGO also seeks to get an abuser to admit to the wrongful and shameful act and seek forgiveness where it is possible to do so or face the full wrath of the law where necessary.

The lawyer added that the organisation encourages victims to speak up! about sexual abuse and not hesitate to report cases of abuse to the relevant authorities.

Falaiye said that in future the organisation would have a physical facility (The Pink Hive) where an abuse victim can hibernate for a period of time.

“The facility will include a dormitory, laboratory, therapy and vocation centers for girls who will have to be rescued from a place of abuse and taken through counsel.

“It will also include therapy and mentoring before reuniting them with their families and reintegrating them back into the society,” she said.