The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law offers critical protection for women across Nigeria, addressing issues like coercion, emotional abuse, and gender-based violence. In Sokoto State, women like Yasmin, who has faced extensive abuse, benefit from the law’s firm provisions, which limit contact with abusers through protection orders and ensure offenders face legal consequences. However, current legislative movements aim to repeal and replace the VAPP Law, potentially stripping these protections from women and survivors.
A Lifeline for Women Facing Abuse
The VAPP Law encompasses a broad scope, providing legal recourse for sexual, physical, emotional, and financial abuse, offering strict penalties and establishing the Survivor Support Fund. These elements collectively help break cycles of abuse, ensuring survivors receive protection and resources. For Yasmin and others in similar circumstances, these measures deliver safety and justice within challenging cultural landscapes. Repealing this law could remove vital protections that women have come to rely on, increasing their risk of harm and limiting their access to justice.
What Repeal Could Mean for Future Cases
If repealed, women may lose access to legal avenues currently available for addressing threats and harassment. Without the VAPP Law’s specific protections, police and courts may have fewer tools to intervene, weakening enforcement against abusers. In Yasmin’s case, the repeal would eliminate the protective barriers that reduced her abuser’s control over her life and reputation. Legal experts caution that repealing this law may erase years of progress in supporting victims of abuse.
Community Impact and Cultural Shifts from VAPP Law
The VAPP Law has spurred shifts in communities where survivors of abuse felt unsupported or overlooked. With stricter penalties in place, harmful behaviors such as stalking, harassment, and coercion have seen reduced occurrences. Survivors report that their communities now discourage certain aggressive behaviors, and offenders face stronger deterrents. Women feel empowered to report cases without fear of backlash or shame. Repealing the VAPP Law could undo these positive cultural shifts, removing the legal backbone for these protections and exposing women to risks once mitigated by the act’s deterrent power.
Risks of Limited Support for Survivors if Repeal Passes
The VAPP Law established the Survivor Support Fund, allowing non-governmental organizations to independently secure funding to aid victims. Current proposals for the new legislation, however, restrict NGO involvement, narrowing funding channels. Without NGO support, survivors like Yasmin may struggle to find accessible resources for legal aid, counseling, and protection. This change could significantly weaken the support systems many women rely on, placing financial burdens on state resources that already struggle with limited reach.
Conclusion
The VAPP Law has brought about substantial progress in safeguarding Nigerian women from abuse. Its proposed repeal endangers years of work, threatening the safety and dignity of countless survivors. Upholding this law is essential for maintaining these protections and the rights of women across Nigeria. For a deeper dive into the VAPP Law and its importance to women’s safety, visit genderpedia.ng/shop for resources and documents on the topic.
References
For more insights and detailed information on this subject, see resources on VAPP Law, survivor support, and legal protections for women available at:
