The Awyetu Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), located at Bwari General Hospital in Abuja, has handled 345 cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) between 2020 and 2024, with children under 18 accounting for 84% of victims.
Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, disclosed the figures during a visit by Dr Najat M’jid, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children.
Benjamins-Laniyi emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration with security agencies to ensure perpetrators face justice and pledged greater involvement of residents and community leaders in the centre’s work.
Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment in the FCT Administration, noted that the centre was established in 2020 under the European Union’s Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme, implemented by the British Council.
Speaking on the breakdown of cases, Bwari General Hospital Medical Director Dr Ibrahim Mijinyawa said 313 of the 345 cases involved female survivors (90.7%), while 32 were male (9.3%). He added that 289 survivors were below 19 years of age.
From January to date, 18 new cases have been recorded, 17 of which involved minors, according to Centre Manager Dr Bejide Augustine.
The Bwari SARC offers services such as medical treatment, forensic evidence collection, psychosocial counselling, legal aid, and referrals. Augustine noted that community prevention programmes are planned but yet to begin.
“The centre operates under a survivor-centred approach, ensuring dignity, confidentiality, and access to justice,” he said.
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