KATSINA, Nigeria (FN) — The Katsina Sexual Assault Referral Centre has documented 110 cases of sexual assault since its launch in December 2023, according to state officials. The figure, revealed Tuesday during a three-day training workshop in Katsina, underscores the growing urgency to address sexual and gender-based violence in the region.
Of the reported cases, 60 have been uploaded into the Child Protection Information Management System, a national database used to track and respond to child protection concerns.
The workshop, organized by the Department of Girl Child Education and Child Development in collaboration with UNICEF, brought together stakeholders from Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States, including medical professionals, law enforcement, social workers, and gender-based violence officers.
“This progress reflects our growing ability to document, monitor, and respond to child protection concerns with professionalism and transparency,” said Aminu Badaru-Jikamshi, Permanent Secretary of the department. He praised UNICEF’s support in equipping the centre with tools and training that have improved service delivery to survivors.
Several survivors attending the workshop shared their experiences, emphasizing the importance of safe spaces and timely intervention.
“I was afraid to speak out at first,” said Fatima (surname withheld), a 17-year-old survivor from Funtua. “But when I came to the centre, I felt heard. They didn’t just treat me medically—they helped me feel human again.”
Another survivor, Hauwa, 22, said the centre helped her navigate both medical and legal support after her assault. “Without the referral centre, I wouldn’t have known where to go. They helped me file a report and get counseling. I’m still healing, but I’m not alone.”
Badaru-Jikamshi said the state is exploring a study tour to other regions with operational Sexual Assault Referral Centres to adopt best practices and strengthen Katsina’s response system.
“We must listen, learn, and share experiences so we can further strengthen access to timely, coordinated services for our children and communities,” he said.
UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection in Abuja, Ibrahim Sesay, represented by specialist Pragna Chakma, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ending violence against children in Nigeria. “UNICEF has provided essential items to enhance the centre’s operations and ensure it delivers services at full capacity,” Chakma said.
The workshop is part of a broader effort to build a safer environment for children in the region, where sexual and gender-based violence remains a pressing concern. Organizers say the training will help improve survivor-centered care and coordination among key actors in the child protection system.
