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Gender-Based Violence: Victims Silence Impedes Fight Against Menace In Southern Kaduna – Mrs Yohanna
Culture of silence and community interference with rape and other related abuse cases are identified as major impediments in the concerted struggles to end the dreaded menace of sexual and gender-based violence, SGBV in southern Kaduna.
The Manager, Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre, SARC Kafanchan office, Mrs Grace Yohanna Abbin stated this while interacting with journalists on the activities of the Centre in kafanchan, Kaduna State- Nigeria.
According to Mrs. Abbin, SARC was established in the area to serve as a place of socur where victims of rape and gender based violence would access free medical, legal and psycho-social interventions.
She said the Centre had brought respite to many victims of sexual and gender Violence who would otherwise be suffering in silence as they now have a place to run to when victimised.
Narrating their successes, Mrs Abbin said the Centre had since its establishment in February 2019 recorded about 1245 cases out of which 1054 involved women and have secured 7 convictions with 3 life imprisonment.
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Sexual violence according to her included: rape, defilement, indecent touching, sexual exploit and sexuality suggesting remarks amongst others.
“ To stamp out this ugly menace in southern Kaduna, there is the need for strong synergy between the center and key stakeholders such as the traditional and religious leaders, “ she said.
She commended Nigeria Early Recovery Initiative, NERI for its’ critical interventions which she said had enabled the center to embark on advocacy and sensitization tour to chiefdoms, Emirates and communities across jema’a and kajuru local government areas to sensitize the communities, especially women and encourage them to speak out whenever they are violated.
Mrs. Abbin said NERI had provided them with office equipments and other essential facilities such as beds, communication gadgets, televisions, computers among others to enable them execute their services effectively.
The SARC Manager expressed gratitude to commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba and the council chairman of Jema’a local Government Mr. Peter Danjuma Averik for their encouragements and constant support to the center which she described as motivating.
Speaking also, Programmes Manager of NERI, Mrs. Chikodinaka Omokide represented by an Officer, Mr Adamu Garba explained that their intervention is informed by the incidences of rape and other forms of sexual violence in IDPs and communities experiencing crisis in the area, and the desire to end the evil.
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