Bauchi Assembly seeks two additional sexual assault referral Centres.
By Rabiu Ishaq Muhammad
The Bauchi State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to establish at least two additional Sexual Assault Referral Centres to improve access to medical care, psychosocial support and justice for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The call followed a motion sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Dr. Abubakar Y. Sulaiman, during plenary.
Leading the debate, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman expressed concern that the state, with 20 Local Government Areas across three senatorial districts, currently has only one functional Sexual Assault Referral Centre, located at the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, but temporarily operating from Tashar Babayo Primary Health Care Centre due to ongoing renovation works at the hospital.
He explained that the concentration of the facility in Bauchi metropolis poses serious challenges to survivors in rural and hard-to-reach communities, particularly in terms of transportation costs, delayed access to medical attention, fear of stigma and concerns about confidentiality.
The Speaker noted that Sexual Assault Referral Centres provide specialised and integrated services, including medical treatment, forensic examination and documentation, counselling, psychosocial support, protection and referrals for legal and law enforcement assistance.
He stressed that timely access to such services is essential for the physical and emotional recovery of survivors, as well as the preservation of forensic evidence needed for effective investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases.
Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman acknowledged the state’s legislative efforts to combat gender-based violence, including the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and other child-protection legislation, but emphasised the need to strengthen service delivery institutions to ensure effective implementation of the laws.
The Speaker maintained that access to medical attention, psychosocial support and justice should not be determined by a survivor’s location or ability to afford transportation to Bauchi metropolis.
He said expanding the centres would demonstrate the state’s commitment to protecting women, girls, boys and other vulnerable persons from sexual and gender-based violence.
The motion called on the State Government, through the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, particularly those responsible for Health, Women Affairs, Justice and Humanitarian Affairs, to establish at least two additional fully equipped centres strategically located across the three senatorial districts.
The House further called for adequate budgetary provisions to sustain the facilities, alongside partnerships with development partners and civil society organisations working on the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
Other recommendations include strengthening referral and coordination mechanisms between the centres, health facilities, the Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Justice and social welfare agencies, as well as sustained public sensitisation to encourage survivors to seek assistance without fear of discrimination or stigma.
