‘Men too’ — senate passes bill seeking to recognise males as rape victims

The senate has passed a bill seeking to recognise males as rape victims.

The bill passed third reading on Tuesday after a report on it was presented by Opeyemi Bamidele, chairman of the committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters.

The bill sponsored by Oluremi Tinubu, senator representing Lagos central, is an amendment to the criminal code act CAP C38 LFN 2004.

The is coming after the upper legislative chamber passed a bill to prohibit sexual harassment in tertiary institutions last week.

The legislation is also seeking to remove the statue of limitation on rape cases; hence there is no time limit when rape matters can be decided.

While presenting his report on the floor of the upper legislative chamber, Bamidele said stakeholders at the public hearing expressed divergent views as regards the proposed amendments in the bill.

The Ekiti senator also said life imprisonment has been prescribed for kidnappers.

“The bill will address lingering issues starting with statute of limitation in the prosecution of rape and as well as defilement cases and it will curb the menace which has been on the rise,” he said.

“That the statute of limitation has been omitted from the violence against persons act 2015 which is the prevailing law of the subject matter.

“The bill seeks to amend the criminal code act of 1916 and not that of the states. The bill when enacted will apply to the federal high court

“The senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters to which this bill was referred, having considered same, recommends as follows; that the senate pass the criminal code act CAP C38 LFN 2004 (amendment) bill 2020.”

The bill passed third reading after the senate considered clauses of the bill.

The bill will be sent to the house of representatives for concurrence.