Nigeria's 2015 federal law criminalising physical, sexual, psychological, and economic violence against persons — including domestic violence, stalking, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage.
The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 applies in the Federal Capital Territory and in states that have domesticated it. It criminalises a wide range of violence including spousal battery, harmful traditional practices (FGM, forced marriage), emotional and psychological abuse, stalking, and abandonment of a spouse or children without financial support. It provides for Protection Orders from the Magistrate's Court and mandatory reporting of VAPP offences by medical professionals.
A woman in Abuja is repeatedly beaten by her husband and threatened when she tries to leave. She applies for a Protection Order at the FCT Magistrate's Court under the VAPP. The order is granted, prohibiting the husband from approaching her. When he violates it, he is arrested.
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