The legal framework
Defilement offences protect those under 18, with aggravated penalties for younger children. Marital rape is not separately criminalised, and reform proposals have been debated for years. Police child and family protection units and hospital-based one-stop centres provide support.
Key points
| Age of consent | 18 |
|---|---|
| Definition | Set out in dedicated sexual offences legislation |
| Marital rape | Criminalised in some of these jurisdictions and not in others — check the national position |
| Medical care | Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV must begin within 72 hours |
| Forensic evidence | Best collected within 72 hours, before washing or changing clothes if possible |
| Support | One-stop centres combine medical, police and counselling services |
| Penal Code | Defilement covers anyone under 18; rape is defined narrowly |
| Child and Family Protection Units | Police units handling these cases |
| Medical form 3 | The police examination form, which should be issued free |
In practice
- Report to the police at any station; you do not have to decide immediately whether to pursue a prosecution.
- A forensic medical examination can usually be carried out and stored before any decision to report.
- Specialist support services can attend with you and explain each step.
- Ask for written confirmation of any examination and of the report reference.
- Ask for Police Form 3 and insist it is issued without payment.
- Seek treatment within 72 hours for post-exposure prophylaxis.
Recent changes
The regional trend is towards one-stop centres, which have measurably improved both survivor experience and evidence quality compared with separate police and hospital processes.
Where to go
- One-stop centres and gender-based violence recovery units in public hospitals.
- Police units specialising in sexual and gender-based violence.
- National helplines and women's rights organisations providing legal accompaniment.
Worth knowing
Go to a hospital first, ideally within 72 hours: that window covers both HIV prophylaxis and forensic evidence. Reporting to the police can follow afterwards. Defilement covers anyone under 18 regardless of consent, which means consensual teenage relationships are prosecuted. Legal aid organisations can advise.
Official sources and links
- World Health Organization — international reference on this topic
- WHO Regional Office for Africa — country data and programmes