Addressing cultural values, solution to sexual assault -IG

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has called on all stakeholders to take proactive measures to address cultural values and norms that support and tolerate sexual assault in the country. Arase made the call in his address at a workshop titled “Understanding Sexual and Related Violence and Developing Ethical Protocol for Dealing with Them” […]

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has called on all stakeholders to take proactive measures to address cultural values and norms that support and tolerate sexual assault in the country.
Arase made the call in his address at a workshop titled “Understanding Sexual and Related Violence and Developing Ethical Protocol for Dealing with Them” organised by a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Global Rights, in Abuja, yesterday.
He said all cultural values that support sexual assault should be condemned.
According to him, a purpose driven framework that could fit into peculiar social, cultural and religious context must be developed to confront the challenges of sexual assaults, but  added that the responsibility for eradicating sexual violence rests with all communities and the entire nation.
He stated that sexual violence and assaults were preventable but required concerted efforts because of the complexity of their nature, adding that there should be a national collaboration so as to create a hostile environment for sexual assault perpetrators.
The IGP said no single agency of government could address sexual violence and assaults prevention in the country.
He therefore called on organs of government and political portfolios across all levels of government to come together and face the challenge.
He noted that generation and dissemination of research, practice and policy information to all stakeholders was central to sexual assault prevention and promulgation of appropriate laws.
Arase said there should be need for inclusive fight against sexual violence to achieve the desired objective.
He said sexual assault and exploitation would be curtailed if equal opportunities and free education were provided for all children.