MCN, SARCs seek proactive measure against sexual assault

The Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in the Northeast under the
Managing Conflicts in Northeast Nigeria (MCN) Programme being
implemented by the British Council has said governments should not
only sign rape cases into law, but take proactive measure because it
has now become everyone’s business.

National Programme Manager of the MCN, Prof. Muhammad Tabiu, disclosed this Wednesday at the opening of a two-day network meeting of the SARCs steering committee holding in Abuja.

“These centres offer medical services, psycho-social support and also help with the legal aspect of prosecution. This is one of the areas MCN is making significant contributions in stabilizing society and make sure that criminality of this nature is treated and tackled,” he said.

The meeting was designed to address, review and exchange experience,
knowledge and proffer solution to challenges in respect of Sexual Gender Base Violence (SGBV).

Blueprint gathered that between 2016 and 2019, there were over 700 cases of reported sexual assault in the three states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe
states with good number in Internally Displaced Camps and the higher
number of the survivors were female.

The meeting also urged Nigeria Police Force and the judiciary for speedy prosecution of the perpetrators and also protect the dignity of the survivors who do not open up due to fear of stigmatization.

One of the participants, Abdullahi Danchuwa, said there was need for
actions and plans that would speak out against cases of rape particularly among the underage.

Investigation by Blueprint indicates that with the signing of the penal
code 2018 amendment bills, the cases of rape in most of the states have reduced drastically however still calls for more sensitization.

Over 40 participants from civil society organisations, media,
judiciary, traditional leaders, among others attended the workshop.

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