Over 15, 000 victims of sexual assaults have been assisted through the 29 Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across 17 States of Nigeria, established by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of the British Council.

This was disclosed by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani-Aliyu, who said that many cases of sexual assaults in Nigeria are under reported as survivors are often times reluctant to report, for fear of social stigma.

Aliyu made this known at the launch of Awyetu Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) in Bwari, Abuja, as part of the programmes set to commemorate the 2020 ‘I6 Days of Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls,’ organised by the British Council under its European Union (EU) funded programmes; RoLAC and the Managing Conflict in Nigeria (MCN).

She said “even when cases are reported most times they are poorly prosecuted due to lack of evidence to prove rape more so there are limited facilities to assist victims with necessary medical assistant, trauma counseling, etc.

“The medical personnel assigned to this SARC has been trained in forensic medical examination and documentation, and to also provide medical report to police to support the prosecution of rape cases in court.”

Also, Ambassador Clement Botillier, Head of section, Democracy, Governance and Migration section, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS stated that sexual crime is widely acknowledged as the most serious crime affecting women and girls in Nigeria, adding that the pandemic created a surge showing a significant increase in sexual gender-based violence.

“The fight against gender-based violence remain one of the priorities of the European Union because we believe this is a thread and that there are challenges that affect so many people in the world.

“SGBV is creating underdevelopment, negatively affects cohesion, the ability to contribute to society and ultimately prevent society from thriving, because of this the EU have committed significant resources in the fight through technical and financial support to front line defenders,” he said.

Also, speaking, the National Programme Manager of RoLAC, Mr. Danladi Plang, stated that the need for Sexual Assault Referral Centers is important as it tries to solve the problem that makes it difficult to prosecute rape perpetrators as it provides immediate emergency medical report, forensic medical examination, confidentiality, privacy and client focused approach.

According to Plang, “between July 2019 and September 2020, SARCs have assisted over 15,800 victims of sexual assault combined, over 70% of whom are under the age of 18.

“The success of the SARC initiative have demonstrated the critical role it plays as a hub of network of collaboration among the many institutions and responders that are active in the effort to reduce sexual violence and assist victims.”

Pauline Tallen, Women Affairs Minister, represented by Ebele Obiefuna, Senior Social Welfare Service, stated that the Nigerian Police reported that it received 717 cases of sexual assault between January and 2020. With the development many strategies have been put in place to help curb the increase of sexual assault.

She stated that “we are engaging constantly with the police on the need to promptly address issues if rape and GBV, also the governor’s forum declared a state of emergency on rape as a follow-up the wives of the governors with support from the wife if the President Aisha Buhari, in a bid to address the hydra headed monster.

“The ministry has also launched the national data situation room and data dashboard for ending violence against women and girls in Nigeria.

In the same vein, the Director General NAPTIP, Ms Julie Okah Donli, reiterated the importance of SARCs as it goes a long way in the fight against GBV stating that the agency will not relent in the fight to bring justice to survivors, emphasising the commitment on fighting the menace headlong.

•PHOTO: Dignitaries at the launch of the FCT Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Bwari, Abuja on November 25, 2020 as part of the activities marking the ’16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence in Nigeria’ by the RoLAC Programme of the British Council and Funded by the European Union