Presiding Judge of Gombe Court of Appeal, Justice Hannatu Sankey, has called for more support and care for rape and other violence victims, especially children, noting that many of them are battling with post-traumatic stress disorder.
The jurist made the call while speaking at an event organised by ADDA Girl Education Foundation, a non-governmental organisation in Gombe.
According to Sankey, there has been an upsurge in cases of rape, sexual assault and other violence against girls and women in recent times, adding that many of such cases caused heartbreaking fatalities.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is characterised by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
Scenes from rape, sexual assault, according to experts, may last for months or years in the minds of victims and could trigger trauma, stress, and other intense emotional and physical reactions.
Sankey said, “As a practitioner and a stakeholder in the justice sector, I’m aware that cases of rape, sexual assault, and violence against the girl-child are widespread and on the increase.
“Incidents of attacks on young persons and children, many of which have tragically resulted in heartbreaking fatalities, have quite frequently been reported.
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“The victims who have survived such vicious attacks and violations, are left scarred for life.
“The tragedy of it is that an increasing number of these abuses are happening in schools where children have gone to get an education.
“This certainly does not augur well for the society as these girls are the future mothers of Nigeria of tomorrow. When they are violated and subjected to abuse, the post-traumatic stress disorder they inevitably suffer or experience may negatively affect the upbringing of the children and future leaders of Nigeria, thereby joepardising the nation in general.”
Sankey urged states of the federation including Gombe to domesticate the child rights act, noting that it would provide the girl child the conducive environment to thrive.
“If, however, laws are put in place to protect children and enforce their rights, I believe that courts will proactively and stringently enforce these laws.
“This will also ensure that our children, who are the future of this nation, are protected from predators, as well as shielded from any failure on the part of parents, guardians, teachers and the system in general,” Sankey added.
