AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEGAL REMEDIES AVAILABLE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study meticulously examined the legal remedies for victims of sexual assaults in Nigeria. Sexual assault is a cankerworm that needs to be eradicated from the society as it has caused grievous harm. The reason being that it subjected its victims to several issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, substance abuse issues, self-injury, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, suicidal ideation and more. Several laws have been enacted such as the Criminal Code Act and the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act so as to punish perpetrators of sexual assault in order to ensure they serve as deterrence to others who would want to partake in such a heinous act. The study focused on the legal remedies available to victims of sexual assault. The legal remedies for victims of sexual assault falls under both Civil and Criminal. Some of the remedies available for a victim of sexual assault are monetary compensation, restraining orders, apology and any other remedy deemed fit as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. It observed that many victims of sexual assault are afraid to voice out and are also unaware of the breadth of laws prohibiting sexual assault and the extent of the legal remedies available to them. This study adopted the doctrinal methodology. The study also makes a number of recommendations for steps that should be taken to improve and strengthen the status of the laws protecting sexual assault victims in the society by providing a better foundation. It recommends that the federal, state, and local government should enlighten the general public to ensure that sexual assault is curbed if not abrogated. The study concludes that victims of sexual assault should speak out to ensure the perpetrators do not go unpunished as there are extant laws backing the victims. �

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urn:uuid:1d03706d-4da1-4472-ac45-c6ade9ace6e0