Kaduna State Government has launched a Digital Sexual Offenders Database to expose the identities of offenders with a view to stemming the scourge of rapes in the state.
The State Deputy Governor Dr Hadiza Balarabe while launching the register in Kaduna explained that, the idea was to name, document and shame the offenders to serve as deterrent to others.
According to her, the state offenders register intends to expose the identities of such abusers while the database will contain the full details of the offenders including their photographs and home addresses.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe noted that, the data would also be linked with the national sex offenders database and will be updated regularly.
She further revealed that, the important task is being handled by a High level Multi Agency Task Team HIMAT comprising of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Human Services, security agencies, correctional centres, and NGOs.
“Already, these agencies have been working together to ensure a smooth launch and maintenance of the register which will be sponsored by HADIS Foundation for a year”.
Dr Balarabe expressed hope that the database would assist companies and schools with records of their prospective employees to ensure that sex offenders are not placed where they can use their positions to continue to destroy society.
The launch of the register according to her would serves as formal notice to all sex offenders that Kaduna state is a no-go area.
“I wish to thank members of the committee for working hard to bring us where we are today. I wish to also thank the ministries of Justice and Human Services, security agencies, correctional centres and NGOs involved in this project for their valuable contributions”.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe revealed that, one in four girls in the country according to UNICEF has experienced sexual violence by the age of 18, while 1 in 10 women in Nigeria has experienced physical or sexual violence in the hands of an intimate partner in the last one year.
According to Dr Balarabe, the State government has taken proactive steps to protect women, girls and boys from sexual related abuses in the state.
She said the state government initiated the amendment of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law (No.5) of 2017 and provided for stiffer punishment against rapists.
“The new Law, Kaduna State Penal Code (Amendment) Law 2020, provides that men convicted of raping children under age 14 will have their testicles surgically removed, while women will have their fallopian tubes cut out”
“The objective of this law is to deter likely offenders and not to incapacitate anyone. No one enjoys the surgical procedures in the edict for convicted persons. But this is a crime against humanity that we must end”
In a remark, Kaduna State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Aisha Dikko described the sex offenders database as the first of its kind in the history of Kaduna.
” Sadly, as we are all aware, sexual offenses have increased all over the world, governments and non-government organizations are taking concrete steps to end violence against women, and children but the question is, are these efforts adequate?.
The Commissioner maintained that, they continue to receive complaints almost daily, about abuse of young boys and girls, mostly by people who they know and trust.
According Aisha Dikko, the launch of the sex offenders database shows the continued commitment of the Kaduna State Government in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the rights of its citizens.
Since the National Sexual Offenders database was launched in 2019, Kaduna State has been working assiduously to ensure that it is replicated and that Kaduna is linked to the National Database”
“Reviews of Laws in Kaduna State have paved way for a more proactive approach in addressing gender-based violence and all forms of violence against women and children”
“We will work closely with the police and the SARCS to harmonize data of sex offenders and most importantly, create synergy between the police, SARCS and the Ministry of Justice, so that we can have an authentic, verifiable, and up to date information on the database”.
She urged other states in the country to adopt the approach of establishing a sex offenders database so that sex offenders will have no place to hide.
Aisha Dikko emphasized the need for people to report offenders to the appropriate authorities for action.
COV/AMINU DALHATU