Group Advocates Police Gender Help Desk To Tackle Rape Cases

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kebbi State on Wednesday called for the establishment of a “Police Gender Help Desk” to effectively tackle cases of gender-based violence, particularly rape.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the CSOs comprised Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative, Nana Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative and Ass of Women Living with HIV&AIDS (ASHWAN).

The CSOs spoke under the auspices of Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative.

Addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the Leader of the team, Hajiya Zarah Ahmad, said the call became imperative in view of the recurrence of rape cases across Nigeria.

She said: “Security agencies should set up a ‘special police gender help desk’ in all police stations to encourage speciality in handling gender-related cases.

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“We need comprehensive and multi-sectional approach and strengthening of institutions as well as accelerated implementation of laws, policies and programmes to tackle the issue.”

The leader sought the collaboration of the media and other stakeholders by addressing the menace, considering the spread of the crime across the country.

She urged journalists to reach out to policymakers traditional rulers, religious leaders, parents and guardians on the issue.

According to Ahmad, “We (CSOs) alone cannot do it, parents need to be enlightened. We need a reorientation of our people to report rape cases so as to bring perpetrators to book.

“We should be strong enough to talk about it, it is not her fault that she is being raped and it is not a crime to be a woman, we need men to help us champion this course,” she said.

Ahmad said that the group had earlier visited the state Ministry of Justice and House of Assembly to intimate them on the need to domesticate the Child Right Act in the state.

She said the horrific experience victims of rape and domestic violence go through was horrific because many live in pains, anguish, depression and loss of dignity throughout their lifetime

She reiterated that the horrific and debilitating scourge of rape would continue if perpetrators were shielded in the name of culture and family fraternity.