PROPER SENTENCE IN RAPE CASES AS A MEANS OF ENGENDERING ADEQUATE CLOSURE FOR VICTIMS

Abstract

The offence of rape is a menace that has ravaged the globe. It has received considerable attention among legal and decent minds, organizations and people of integrity that have the welfare of women especially, and society at heart. The question is, how best can the society protect the feminine gender from rape, avail victims of closure and maintain global decency. Rape is a heinous crime that shatters the emotional, psychological, physical, social and existential walls of its victim and robs the society of sanity. Though prohibited globally, yet, it is as rampant and widespread as it is discussed. Unfortunately, there seems to be an epidemic of injustice in judicial handling of rape cases that leave victims without closure. “Proper Sentence†which could be a potent judicial instrument for achieving functional Justice and deterrence in rape cases is often misapplied, rendered weak and ineffective at a point where it is expected to be strong and achieve the desired goal. This article highlights the potency of “proper sentence†in rape cases as a means of engendering adequate closure for victims. It exposes several judicial abuses of justice in rape cases and the need for a review towards achieving adequate victims’ closure, functional justice and global sanity.