Abstract

The rising incident of rape cases perpetrated by state and non-state actors in recent time leaves much to be desired as to the effectiveness of the implementation of penal laws in Nigeria. The need for adequate retribution for wrongs done and possible compensation for victims cannot be overemphasised. Using doctrinal method, this paper seeks to appraise the impact of the enactment of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 in combating the offence of rape in Nigeria with the redefinition of what constitutes rape, introduction of compensation for victims and establishment of convicted sexual offenders register. The paper recommends that there is the need to make the sexual offences register more accessible to the general public as required by the Act. The paper used doctrinal method to collate materials.