FCTA To Establish Additional Sexual Assault Referral Centers

By: Ben Ukeji, Prudence Okonna, & Sunday Shekwonya

Authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), have concluded plans for the establishment of additional Sexual Assault Referral Centers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Toward this end, the FCT Executive Committee (FCT EXCO) at its 17th meeting held Monday, at the Conference Hall, FCT House, Gwarinpa I District, Abuja, approved the establishment of additional centers.

A statement from the Director, Information and Communication, FCT, Muhammad Hazat Sule, said the Centers are to serve as a shelter home for the survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based violence (SGBV) across the Territory, who have been abused and are experiencing trauma and need to be properly cared for.

It stated that the FCT EXCO while reviewing the presentation by the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) on its activities, programs, and projects, said the Administration is committed to building more shelter homes for the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence that will accommodate the increasing cases of SGBV across the Territory.

The EXCO also directed that Social Development Secretariat to initiate plans for the immediate re-integration of children who are in the various orphanage homes and have grown up as well as activate the FCT Juvenile Correctional Centre.

According to the statement, EXCO further directed for the establishment of Mobile Courts to apprehend and trial swiftly, cases of Gender Based Violence to serve as deterrents and serve justice to the victims.

It also advised residents to avoid acts capable of precipitating sexual and gender-based violence.

Sule explained that the EXCO reaffirmed the position of the FCT Administration on street begging and other unwholesome practices within the Federal Capital City and insisted that it will continue to enforce all laws prohibiting such practices.

Commending the Social Development Secretariat for the milestone recorded and emerging top out of 15 Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) rated by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in handling cases of Gender-Based Violence, the meeting urged the Secretariat not to rest on its oars.

The meeting, which was presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, was attended by top officials of the FCT Administration.