Lagos, Feb. 27, 2026 (NAN) The Initiative to Resist Institutional Slavery and Exploitation (IRISE) an NGO on Friday advised rape and sexual violence survivors not to settle cases out of court.
The NGO stressed that pursuing legal action ensured justice for survivors and served as a deterrent to potential perpetrators.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the advice followed a two-day training for journalists in Lagos State on rights-based, evidence-driven reporting in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The training focused on survivors’ rights, rehabilitation, and sanctions against perpetrators, aiming to improve reportage and reinforce the role of justice in curbing sexual violence.
Mrs Adesola Bello, Coordinator of the Africa Women Lawyers Association Nigeria, speaking at the event, said out-of-court settlements denied survivors justice and failed to teach society a deterrent lesson.
Bello highlighted cases where families of perpetrators offered settlements near the end of proceedings, halting legal accountability and undermining public perception of justice for survivors.
She explained that rape cases required proof of penetration and non-consent, noting that life imprisonment was warranted for offenders and should not be bypassed through settlements.
According to her, rape and sexual violence cases are crimes against the state, not merely between individuals, emphasising the public interest in legal enforcement.
Bello said poverty, stigma, and cultural pressures often led survivors to accept settlements, but reporting should focus on survivor support, rehabilitation, and legal sanctions.
IRISE Executive Director, Mrs Omodele Ibitoye-Ejoh, highlighted that every ten minutes a woman dies from pregnancy-related complications, citing lack of access to contraceptives as a key contributor.
She warned that limited contraceptive access forced many, particularly teenage girls, to resort to unsafe abortions, often resulting in death, underscoring the need for reproductive health interventions.
Ibitoye-Ejoh described rape as a critical mental health issue requiring stringent enforcement of existing laws to protect survivors and reduce sexual violence in society.(NAN)
