THE Borno Government in partnership with the British Council has set up a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) to check spate of rape in the state. The centre was established under the Managing Conflict in Northeast (MCN) programme supported by European Union and British Council.

Wife of Borno Governor, Mrs Nana Shettima, who inaugurated the centre in Maiduguri, said the facility would enhance treatment of rape victims.

Shettima expressed dismay over the “disturbing” rate of sexual abuse, adding that the centre would go a long way in checking indiscriminate rape in the society.

According to her, available statistics showed that massive displacement caused by the Boko Haram insurgency compounded the situation and resulted to unprecedented surge in rape in the state.

“Women and girls are exposed to abuse including sexual violence and other forms of exploitation.

“We must condemn such practices and abhor all forms of Gender Base Violence (GBV), including trafficking in persons and other social vices,” she said.

Dr Haruna Mshelia, the state Commissioner for Health, explained that the centre was designed to provide forensic and clinical research to aid prosecution of rape victims.

Mshelia disclosed that the services would not be restricted only to females, but also males, who had suffered all sorts of sexual abuse.

Earlier, Prof. Muhammad Tabiu, MCN Project Manager, said that the facility was part of critical intervention component to address GBV and promote women engagement in peace building process.

“The British Council, through the MCN project takes into account the large scale violence directed at women, girls and boys in the course of insurgency and the likely escalation of such violence in the affected communities in the course of resettlement.’’

Also, MCN Team Leader in the state, Mrs Zara Goni, called on victims of rape to report to the facility on time, to enable them access medical services, and protect themselves from diseases and un-wanted pregnancies.

Goni added that the centre was designed with a police desk and psychosocial support unit. (NAN)

– Feb.  20, 2018 @ 6:25 GMT |