By Amos Aar
GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Tuesday commissioned Sexual Assault and Referral Centre (SARC), christened Dohapitu Clinic, located at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi.
The inauguration came exactly four days after National Record had reported that a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Sexual and Gender Based Justice Network (SJN) Cluster, called on the Benue State Government to expedite the inauguration of the SARC for quick dispensation of justice against perpetrators of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.
Governor Ortom tasked the management of the hospital to man the clinic with top class professionals to achieve the desired result.
Wife of the governor, Dr Eunice Ortom, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Tabitha Girgi, said the centre is a “one-stop-shop” that will provide emergency medical care, psychosocial and mental care, legal and law enforcement, research and documentation as well as a temporary shelter for survivors and urged victims to voice out their plights and come out to be helped.
Mrs Ortom, who expressed optimism that the centre will increase patients’ confidentiality, urged the public to eschew stigmatisation of victims/survivors so as to encourage them to speak out.
She appreciated the Nigeria Governors’ wives for standing against GBV, the funding partners and the Benue State government for providing the funds needed to start the centre.
The First Lady also called on stakeholders and spirited individuals to partner with the state Gender Based Violence Advocacy and Policy Implementation for the sustenance of the centre.
