Hiding Rape Cases Is Wickedness, Report Them – NHRC Tells Niger Residents

The National Human Rights Commission NHRC in Niger has charged the residents to stop hiding rape case but rather report them to ensure justice is served.
The NHRC Coordinator in Niger, Nuhu Mohammed, aired this while addressing reporters in the State today, raising the Commission’s concern over the increasing cases of the forced sexual act and gender violence in the State.
According to Mohammed, at least 60 cases were reported to the commission annually but he believes that the figure could be higher if victims report to relevant authorities. He added that despite the awareness in place, people still prefer to settle rape cases at home instead of seeking legal redress, a development, giving more room for the perpetrators to continue the crime. “We have received a number of cases. The last submission we submitted to our national office was 20 cases of rape and domestic violence. We don’t receive less than five cases on a monthly basis; those are the ones reported, some don’t like to report.”, he said.
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“But even those who report, by the time we want to take the necessary action before you know the victims would go behind the back door and ask for a withdrawal of their case. This is a major setback to the fight against rape and gender violence. Families need to know that hiding a case of rape is an act of wickedness, especially to the victim who will continue to die in silence. But if the perpetrator is exposed and justice is sought for the victim, it will encourage more victims to speak up when they are violated”, he said.Photos Credit: Getty