National Economic Council backs establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres

The National Economic Council, NEC, has thrown its weight behind the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres across Nigeria.

This followed a presentation made by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Saddiya Farouk at Thursday’s virtual meeting of the NEC presided over by Vice President Yemi.

Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, who briefed reporters after the meeting, said that the establishment of the centres would be geared towards dealing with sexual assaults and its effects on children.

He said; “The presentation was actually to inform NEC on how sexual assault can have a devastating impact on every aspect of the survivors.

“There can also be long-term psychological and physical impact as was presented by the minister.

“They include depression, anxiety, the inability of these kinds of people to sleep.

“So, Council has taken the matter very seriously and it is addressing and is looking at the establishment of these centres.” 

According to Governor Sule, the report of the Minister received the encouragement of various Governors who pledged to ensure that the centres are set up.

Giving details of the situation of sexual assaults on women, girls and boys, he said that “the recent report has shown that the rate of sexual violence especially in some parts of Nigeria is on the increase.

“According the poll conducted in July 2019, one of every three girls would have experienced at least one form of sexual assault/abuse or the other in the last 25 years.”

The Governor stated that the government has acknowledged the importance of multi-partnership and collaborative efforts regarding improving criminal justice as far as sexual assault is in Nigeria.

Goals
Governor Sule said that the goals of the centres would be to limit the physical and mental health consequences of rape.

“Then there are areas that we are looking at such as confidentiality and privacy, client’s support orientation and it is also focused on unbiased information, emergency medical treatment, forensic medical examination services by the specially trained female doctors and midwives who are already prepared.

“And also to advise on sexually transmitted infectious diseases   including HIV as well as the risk of pregnancy.  Also to look at immediate and continuous counseling support including the risk of harm and vulnerability assessment from the people experienced in the specialty areas,” he explained. 

Governor Sule said the centres would support in contacting the police, the social welfare department, civil society organisations where appropriate and also advise the ongoing support throughout the police investigation of this kind of abuse.

He stressed that there would be follow up services and 24-hour accessibility and referrals.

“The centres are going to be limited to victims over the age of 14 or 16, while others will see pediatric cases and younger teenagers depending on availability of resources and local arraignment in place for children services.

“The start off cost of the centres was aimed to N2.5 monthly which covered the cost of an average of 50 clients including administration cost,” he stated.

Governor Sule added that the centre has also received over 6,050 survivors of sexual abuse as well as children.