In furtherance of the current Ekiti State Administration’s Zero Tolerance Policy for Sexual Violence Against Children, the Governor, Kayode Fayemi has signed Compulsory Treatment and Care for Child Victims of Sexual Violence Bill 2020 into law.
The bill titled “Compulsory Treatment and Care for Child Victims of Sexual Violence Bill, 2020.” makes it compulsory for every hospital in Ekiti State whether public or private to accept for adequate treatment, any child who is a victim of sexual violence. This is against the background of increasing cases of rape and child defilement in the State.
The prompt enactment of the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Child Victims of Sexual Violence Bill, said, importantly, this provides a legal framework compelling all hospitals in Ekiti State, public; private to provide adequate and prompt treatment for any child who has been sexually assaulted and to swiftly bring it to the notice of the Police amongst others.
Ekiti State Governor, @kfayemi signed Compulsory Treatment and Care for Child Victims of Sexual Violence Bill 2020 into Law.
31st December, 2020 @bisiafayemi pic.twitter.com/DSVU8k4yaR— Babafemi Oretuyi (@Opetuyii) December 31, 2020
By this Legislation, Ekiti State becomes the first State in Nigeria to enact a Legislation that specifically enforces compulsory medical treatment for child victims of sexual violence.
Ekiti State had previously opened a register for sex offenders to capture the identities of persons convicted of rape, child defilement and sexual assault in the state.
The State has also on several occasions’ named and shamed sex offenders by publishing their pictures on government social media platforms.
