NIGERIA SEXUAL OFFENDER & SERVICE PROVIDER DATABASE

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • 1. Q: What is sexual abuse?

    Any conduct which violates, humiliates or degrades the sexual integrity of any person. This includes sexual assault, exploitation or harassment and intimidation. See as defined in part IV interpretations section 46 of the VAPP Act, 2015

  • The Sex offender register is a documentation of cases of reported, arraigned or convicted cases of sex violations as defined by the VAPP Act 2015. The register is accessible by members of the public and security agencies. It has layers of accessibility with data on those convicted available directly on the website while other categories (such as reported, arraigned but not convicted) can be accessed based on demand.

  • It is a combination of the sexual offender register and the service provider register. Both registers make up a data holding platform on sexual offence reporting and support, which is this website

  • On the home page you will find ‘state’ button click on it to find a drop down on states. Select the state of your interest. Please note that step down information on some states is still in progress. You can also find information on the convicted, on the home page under ‘background check’

  • A convicted case is one in which the alleged offender has been declared guilty of a criminal offence by the verdict of a court of law. An arraigned case is one where the alleged offender has been charged to court. If later discharged and acquitted, the text under the name will state the fact, as is. A reported case is one captured in the media with evidence of reportage.

  • When a member of the pubic reports an alleged sexual violation, the interagency referral team made up of the Police, Civil Defence and NAPTIP will investigate and add the details to the database of reported cases where evidence is confirmed and will in addition make the decision whether or not to prosecute.

  • The register serves as a digital database with information of sexual offence and service provision and information on the sexual offence status of Nigeria. of is database of facts on sexual offence which we hope can deter repeat offending. Once a case is in reported in the media or arraigned in court it has become data in the public domain.

  • As stated in the VAPP Act, 2015, penalty ranges from imprisonment for life to fines and now with the sex offender register a convicted person will be on a list of shame which is available to anyone in the world to note the offender’s integrity deficit.

  • The VAPP Act is available here and on the NAPTIP Website and other websites.

  • Follow the link on the digital register and use the help button should you have any further queries.

  • Individual who want to carry out such a background search will pay five hundred naira (N500). Organisations will have the option of paying per search, or paying a lumpsum for a number of searches or make an annual payment see payment page.

  • No, data on those convicted is available once you register on the digital register. You do not need to pay. You need to pay to view the record of those arraigned or reported.

  • Resources will be required to investigate reported cases, hold meetings between the service provider accountability resource committee and the high level multi agency team.

  • You will get an immediate auto response informing you that your report is being treated. You will then receive feedback within two weeks. If you do not, please use the feedback link to request progress on the status of your report, quoting your reference number.

  • This is the number which is automatically generated and assigned to a reported case. Once you make a report you will be assigned a number, please keep it well and quote in future communication on the matter.

  • No. The record of persons who are affected by sexual violence will only be available to select service providers including security agencies, on a need -to - know basis. The aim of this sexual offender register is to beam the searchlight on perpetrators while protecting the identity of survivors and victims.

  • You have been asked to register because we will like to send you updates and development and also keep a record of visitors to the digital register to help us understand how the public uses the register, and how we can improve it. Please read the privacy clause to see how your data is being used and protected.

  • Yes, you can use your phone number. Should you forget your password, reset information will be sent to your phone. However, for paid searches, an email address will be required.

  • Text on the register are bold for persons who may be partially sighted. The text and audio version of the introductory information is available in multi Nigerian Languages including pidgin for persons who may be blind or not able to understand the English language.

  • The service provider register or database will exist side by side with the sex offender register. The service provider register is a collation of governmental, non-government, faith based, voluntary and charitable associations/ institutions or individuals providing shelter, homes, counseling, legal, financial, vocational, educational, psycho social, medical or other assistance to victims and survivors of all forms of domestic and sex related violence, as captured in the VAPP Act, that are working nationwide in Nigeria.

  • Any organisation that renders any of the services described in the paragraph above about service provider register.

  • There are communities where organisations that render support services may not exist where such services are rendered by individuals, they will be encouraged to be affiliated with service provider organisations near them for due diligence. Such individuals will have affiliation status on the data base.

  • If you are a service provider or want to nominate someone click on the link register service provider and follow the steps. Service providers will be expected to sign up the code of ethics and meet the due diligence criteria.

  • This register seeks to name and shame perpetrators of sexual violence. It links victims/ survivors and even perpetrators to the help they may need. You can take an active part in using this register by asking your children’s school if the management has carried out background checks on its teachers and other staff. You can report sexual crimes for investigation etc. You can encourage service providers to register. Our goal is not to fill the register with cases of sexual violence but to hopefully reduce the crime and link affected persons with the help they need.