50 cases of child rape reported in 1 year

The Plateau Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Rufina Gurumyen, on Monday said that the ministry received reports of over 50 rape cases in the last one year.

Gurumyen spoke in Jos while briefing newsmen on the state’s preparation for the launch of its Priority Action Plans on Ending Violence Against Children.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the action plan on violence against children follows a survey conducted by the National Population Commission (NPC) in 2014.

The survey revealed that children in Nigeria suffer from different forms of violence; ranging from sexual to physical, emotional and several other types.

“When I assumed office last year, I met 63 rape cases on ground that the ministry was handling.

“In the last one year or thereabout that I became the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, 50 cases have been reported to us,” she said.

Gurumyen said that some of the cases reported were treated completely, while others had yet to be completed.

She noted that rape cases were under-reported in the state, as most parents preferred to shield their children for fear of stigmatisation.

The commissioner urged the people to always report any case of rape or other incidence of violence against children to the appropriate authorities.