PREMIUM TIMES
The Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, recorded 3,977 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases since its inception in 2019.
The Director of the centre, Grace Abbin, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna.
She stated that women and girls were the most affected with 3,434 cases, with 543 men and boys affected in Zone three which comprised eight local government areas.
She noted that 429 cases were of sexual assault on children and adults, while 3,548 cases were psychological or emotional and physical violence cases.
While breaking down the statistics, Ms Abbin said the centre recorded and treated 219 cases in 2019, 582 cases in 2020, 1009 cases in 2021, and 788 cases in 2022.
She added that 822 cases were recorded and treated in 2023, while 557 cases were recorded from January to July 2024.
According to her, the culture of silence has been broken, and survivors need more support to access justice.
The director stated that the centre’s services are free and include medical treatment, psychosocial counselling, and optional legal intervention.
