Prevalence and Challenges confronting the Prosecution of Paedophilic Assault Cases in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Paedophiles are adolescent or adult men and women who sexually assault children for satisfaction of their sexual urge. This paper attempts to provide an analysis of the prevalence and challenges confronting the administration of criminal justice in the prosecution of paedophilia assault cases in Lagos State. Secondary data/records retrieved from the Referral Unit of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Offences Department of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, and records/register of the juvenile court on convicted paedophilia offenders between July 2013 - June 2018 were analyzed. The study also adopted purposive sampling method to capture respondents for the key informant interview (KII) conducted. Results show prevalence and rising cases of paedophilia. While boys are sometimes victims of sexual assault, the girl child is potentially more vulnerable. Among the major challenges confronting prosecution of this crime are underreporting and under prosecution associated with a myriad of problems accounting for adjournment of the cases in court. Following this, the study recommends that society should exhibit zero tolerance to sexual assault of children. Law enforcement agencies like the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Court, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the media should champion the promotion of public awareness of the crime, encourage victims and their parents/guardians to speak out, report the crime to appropriate authorities and assist victims to press for legal charges in court. Government should also show more commitment in decongesting the court of child sexual assault cases and in the provision of free treatment, as well as counseling and rehabilitation to victims.

Keywords:  Prevalence, Challenges, Prosecution, Paedophilic, Sexual cases.