VIOLENCE AGAINST PERSONS (PROHIBITION) ACT, 2015

An Act that prohibits all forms of violence against persons, including domestic violence and harmful traditional practices, and provides protections for survivors. It targets perpetrators of gender-based violence and supports law enforcement and victim agencies. This aims to punish offenders and offer remedies to victims.

What Is This Policy?

A comprehensive federal law that prohibits all forms of violence against persons, including domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, female genital mutilation, and harmful traditional practices, while providing robust protections for survivors.

Who Does It Target?

Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and harmful practices Perpetrators of gender-based and other interpersonal violence Courts, prosecution agencies, and law enforcement State-level victim support agencies

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Provide comprehensive legal protection against all forms of violence, punish perpetrators, provide remedies and support to victims, and eliminate harmful traditional practices.

Key Features

Broad Scope: Covers domestic violence, sexual assault, spousal battery, stalking, emotional and psychological abuse, and female genital mutilation. Protection Orders: Courts may issue emergency and long-term protection orders restraining perpetrators from approaching survivors. Shelter and Support: Mandates provision of shelter, medical care, legal aid, and counselling for survivors. FGM Prohibition: Criminalises female genital mutilation and all persons who perform, facilitate, or coerce it.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active in Abuja; adopted as law in many states Coverage: Federal Capital Territory; adopted by numerous states Beneficiaries: Survivors of violence; women and children primarily Funding: Federal Government; donor support

How to Access

Survivors may report to police, hospitals, or the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Free legal aid available for qualifying survivors Protection orders available on an emergency basis from a magistrate or court Application method: File reports at any police station, Federal Capital Development Authority offices, or NAPTIP.

Important Terms

Marital rape is explicitly criminalised under the VAPP Act Perpetrators face imprisonment ranging from 1 to 14 years depending on the offence The Act applies to all persons in the FCT and in states that have adopted it

Impact & Metrics

First comprehensive legislation in Nigeria to criminalise marital rape and emotional abuse; adopted by 21 states.

Official Resources

Website: https://www.justice.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Justice / NAPTIP

Legal Framework

Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly vested by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Section 34 (dignity of the human person). The VAPP Act 2015 is the principal statute, supplementing and filling gaps in the Criminal Code Act and the Penal Code Act. Aligns with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the Maputo Protocol.