Legal Perspectives on the Offence of Rape in Nigeria: The Criminal and Penal Codes vis-à-vis the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015

Abstract

Next  to  murder,  the  offence  of  rape  is  considered  one of  most  heinous  violations  of  the  right  of  its  victims  as well  as  an  intolerable  breach  of  the  moral  and  legal  codes  in  any  given  society.  The  despicable  nature  of  the  act and  its  aftermath  on  a  victim  explains  why  it  is  legally  categorised  as  a  felony  punishable  by  a  lifetime imprisonment.  Previous  epochs  had  defined  rape  from  a  linear  perspective,  as  a  male  perpetrated  crime,  with stringent  requirements  for  proof  in  the  quest  for  justice.  This,  however,  has  ceased  to  be  the  position  in  some jurisdictions  where  the  offence  has  been  redefined  to  reflect  the  social  evolution  in  sexual  conduct.  Laudably, Nigeria  happens  to  be  one  of  the  countries  to  have  embraced  the  legal  reform  on  rape.  That  notwithstanding,  much is  still  left  to  be  desired.  This  paper  analyses  the  former  and  current  legal  perspective  on  the  offence  of  rape  in Nigeria,  the  position  in  other  jurisdictions,  the  challenges and impediments  to  the  new  legal  regime  as  well  as recommendations  for  effective  justice  for  victims  of  rape. 

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APA

Etiese, P. (2019). Legal Perspectives on the Offence of Rape in Nigeria: The Criminal and Penal Codes vis-à-vis the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/legal-perspectives-on-the-offence-of-rape-in-nigeria-the-criminal-and-penal-codes-vis-a-vis-the-violence-against-persons-prohibition-act-2015

MLA 8th

Etiese, Patience "Legal Perspectives on the Offence of Rape in Nigeria: The Criminal and Penal Codes vis-à-vis the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015" Afribary. Afribary, 05 Sep. 2019, https://afribary.com/works/legal-perspectives-on-the-offence-of-rape-in-nigeria-the-criminal-and-penal-codes-vis-a-vis-the-violence-against-persons-prohibition-act-2015. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

MLA7

Etiese, Patience . "Legal Perspectives on the Offence of Rape in Nigeria: The Criminal and Penal Codes vis-à-vis the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015". Afribary, Afribary, 05 Sep. 2019. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/legal-perspectives-on-the-offence-of-rape-in-nigeria-the-criminal-and-penal-codes-vis-a-vis-the-violence-against-persons-prohibition-act-2015 >.

Chicago

Etiese, Patience . "Legal Perspectives on the Offence of Rape in Nigeria: The Criminal and Penal Codes vis-à-vis the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015" Afribary (2019). Accessed November 22, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/legal-perspectives-on-the-offence-of-rape-in-nigeria-the-criminal-and-penal-codes-vis-a-vis-the-violence-against-persons-prohibition-act-2015