PLASGEOC Tackles 163 Cases of Rape, Child Trafficking, others in One Year

By Timothy Alamba

Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, PLASGEOC, has treated 163 cases of rape, child trafficking, child abandonment and others in its one year of existence.

Chairperson of the Commission, Barr. Olivia Dazyam disclosed this to news men today in her office during a press briefing to mark the one year anniversary of the Commission.

According to her, before the establishment of the Commission, voices of aggrieved citizens could not be heard and neither was their cases brought to the fore.

“However, as I speak to you now, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has been able to from February 2024 to November 2024 received and treated (163) cases consisting of rape, abandonment of parental responsibilities, child trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, sale of children and sale of pregnancy.” Barr. Dazyam added.

She added that the commission was also able to secure one conviction and have 13 cases in court currently, noting that in the course of their one year of existence they were able to retrieved children who were trafficked outside the state and even abroad back to the state.

The Chairperson however lamented how the Gender and equal opportunities law and the violence Against Persons Prohibition law are becoming increasingly difficult to take effect because victims and their relatives prefer not to seek justice.

According to her forgiving the offender should not stop the victim from seeking justice which will also protect other members of the society from falling victims.

She went on to assure the public that the Commission will not rest on its oars to ensure that the society returns to normal where there is respect for human rights and the dignity of the woman is preserved.

She thanked all those that supported the commission in its one year of existence especially the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, civil society organizations, security agencies and the press.

Some of the activities outlined by the Commission to mark the one anniversary include, outreach programme to sensitize the people on the provisions of Child Rights Law, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law and Violence against Persons Prohibition Law.

The outreach is to ensure that every citizen of Plateau State has a clear understanding of the law and its provisions as well as breaching the laws.