Group Seeks Functional Sexual Assault Referral Centre In Imo

A feminist non-governmental organisation, Alliances for Africa (AfA), has called for the establishment of a functional Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Imo State to ensure effective response to Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV).

The group’s executive director, Iheoma Obibi, made the call at a one-day linkage workshop organised by AfA and supported by Co-Impact for Gender Desk Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Imo State Command, Centres for Gender Studies of the Imo State University (IMSU) and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO.

Obibi said, “Systemic change work of such nature cannot be achieved without the necessary facilities and approaches. The reality is that the frontline desk officers are struggling, facing challenges because Imo State does not have a functional Sexual Assault Referral Centre, unlike in other states.”

She stressed that the training was designed to provide linkage as well as foster collaboration among the critical stakeholders to effectively address sexual harassment, among other gender based violence in the state’s tertiary institutions.

According to her, “achieving this objective would help ensure justice and safety for both teachers and students in various institutions as well as entrench deep morality and dignity for a better society.

In his keynote address, the state commissioner of police, CP Aboki Danjuma, described sexual harassments as “one of the most pervasive threats within the learning institutions,” which he said, “affects the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of students and staff, particularly young women as well as eroding the integrity of academic system.”

Represented by the head of the Gender Unit, SP Ezeudeogu Ifeyinwa, the Imo CP reiterated the command’s efforts in addressing SGBV in the state while reaffirming the police’s commitment to partnering with stakeholders to achieve safer academic communities.

He commended AfA for the workshop and its strategic roles, urging stakeholders to ensure that the menace was rooted out.

Conducting the training, Mrs Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai, regretted that sexual harassment and other forms of gender-based violence leave victims (survivors) with various problems associated with their traumatic experiences.

She blamed obstructions to justice and levity for the worsening cases of SGBV in society, insisting that offenders should always be punished to deter others.

Olumuyiwa-Rufai, who emphasised that the workshop was to equip the trainees with the knowledge, skills, and effective approaches to addressing the SGBV menace, including the need to enhance coordination among the stakeholders, also encouraged the participants to always ensure respect, empathy, confidentiality, safety, and assurance for justice for survivors and against discrimination and blaming.

Some of the trainees, Rev. Sr. Dr. Kate Ekwe of IMSU and SP Iroka Ifeanyi of the Imo Police Public Relations Office, said the workshop provided opportunities for improvement. They added that the participants were better enlightened about building trust and enabling an atmosphere for positive and results-oriented encounters with SGBV survivors.