The withdrawal of defilement complaints by families could undermine justice and embolden offenders, a regional official of CHIRAJ has warned.
Abdulai Jalaldeen said allowing suspects to evade prosecution due to disinterest from complainants risks creating a society where laws are not enforced.
“If people go unpunished, others will feel they can act with impunity,” he said during a radio discussion.
He noted that such outcomes could provoke frustration among affected families and communities, sometimes leading to retaliation or vigilante actions.
Mr Jalaldeen emphasized the broader consequences for child victims, including long-term psychological trauma, stigma, disrupted education and potential health complications later in life.
“There are adults today who cannot bear children because of what happened to them as minors,” he said.
He urged families to pursue justice fully and avoid private settlements, stressing that protecting children must take precedence over short-term considerations.
