Katsina records 110 sexual assault cases in 22 months — Centre

The Katsina Sexual Assault Referral Centre has reported approximately 110 instances of sexual assault since its inception in December 2023.

Of the cases documented during this timeframe, 60 have been entered into the Child Protection Information Management System.

Mr. Aminu Badaru-Jikamshi, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Girl Child Education and Child Development, made this announcement during the commencement of a three-day training session in Katsina on Tuesday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this training was organized by the department in partnership with UNICEF for stakeholders from Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States.

Key participants in the training include medical professionals, officials from the justice and police sectors, social workers, gender-based violence officers, representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, and personnel from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

Badaru-Jikamshi stated that the purpose of the initiative is to enhance access to services for survivors of sexual violence through a child-centered and survivor-focused approach.

He remarked, "This advancement signifies our increasing capability to document, monitor, and address child protection issues with professionalism and transparency.

"We greatly appreciate UNICEF’s ongoing support and collaboration in this endeavor, as it has not only equipped us with the necessary tools and knowledge to better assist survivors but has also improved our coordination among key stakeholders in the child protection framework.

"Looking forward, we are also considering the possibility of arranging a study tour to several states that have successfully established and operationalized their SARC centers.

"This initiative aims to learn from their experiences and adopt best practices that will ensure the comprehensive and effective functioning of our own center here in Katsina."

He encouraged participants to fully engage in the training to listen, learn, and exchange experiences so that, collectively, "we can further enhance access to timely, coordinated, and survivor-centered services for our children and communities."

The permanent secretary also emphasized the importance of...