Sexual abuse counselling services in Nigeria play a vital role in guiding victims of sexual abuse in recovering from the ugly experiences of the abuse. In addition to their therapy services, they also go as far as providing Justice for the victims.
If you know a sexually abused victim struggling to put the pieces of their lives together, you might want to consider these counselling services in northern Nigeria that offer supportive help for them.
What Do Sexual Abuse Counselling Services Do?
Sexual abuse of all kinds is a criminal offense punishable by the law in Nigeria. According to the Sexual Abuse Referral Center report, incident reporting most cases of sexual offenses are committed against females (79%) and young people under 18 years old (77%).
Unfortunately, victims of sexual abuse go through terrible phases after experiencing sexual abuse. They are subjected to mental disorders, trauma, loss of self-value, thoughts of suicide, risk of sexually transmitted disease, and many other negative effects.
Oftentimes, these victims struggle to forget what has happened and find it difficult to move on with their lives, and if you know one, you might want to know how to help victims of sexual abuse victims.
However, personal assistance might be limited and requires more professional assistance, that’s when the help of counseling services comes into play
Sexual abuse counselling services are organizations either governmental or non-governmental, which provide medical care and supportive services to those who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Additionally, they offer assistance to victims of gender-based abuse.
Sexual abuse counselling services in northern Nigeria offer a maximum support system to victims by collaborating with other supportive stakeholders. This includes:
- Nigeria police force
- Nigeria Bar Association
- Professional health personnel
- Legal Aid Counsel
- Religious based organization
- Media organization
- State government
- National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Person (NAPTIP)
- National human rights commission
- Well-meaning individual/organization for financial support.
Also, the majority of these counselling services in Nigeria are sexual abuse referral centers (SARCs) with a few being non-governmental agencies.
List of Sexual Abuse Counselling Services in Nigeria
1. Rayuwa Sexual Abuse Referral Center (RSARC) Police Clinic, Minna
Rayuwa is a non-governmental organization working to raise awareness about sexual abuse and also provide standard counselling services in northern Nigeria to survivors of abuse in Niger State.
Address
Police Clinic, Minna
Niger state
Hotline
08188107782
Their operation is based in Niger state Nigeria, you can contact them through their hotline:
2. FCT – Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team (FCT-SGBVRT)
This team comprises the most relevant agencies that fight against sexual abuse/ violence. They offer an effective, comprehensive, and coordinated response to cases of domestic and sexual violence.
You can take victims for counseling sessions to help overcome the experience.
Address
Social Development Secretariat (SDS) 2nd Floor,
Cyprian Ekwensi House, Arts & Culture Complex,
Area 10, Garki
Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
Hotline
08077111126
3. Jigawa Sexual Assault Referral Center
This center was established to provide counselling services to victims of rape in the state by members of staff of the state ministry of women’s affairs and societal development along with other personnel.
Address
Jigawa Sexual Assault Referral Center,
Dutse General Hospital,
Jigawa State
Hotline
08033035588
4. Kano Sexual Assault Referral Center
Kano State referral center offers supportive counselling services in northern Nigeria to victims of sexual assault. It brings people from hospitals, social work departments, Justice ministry to resolve sexual cases.
Address
Kano Sexual Assault Referral Center at Murtala Mohammed Hospital, Kano
Kano State
Hotline
08065340578
5. Sexual Offences Awareness &Victims Rehabilitation Initiative (SOAR)
Sexual Offences Awareness & Victims Rehabilitation Initiative (SOAR) was set up in 2011 by a survivor of child sexual abuse to prevent and respond to the prevalence of various forms of sexual violence and exploitation against children in Nigeria.
The organization is currently working on a programme to address child marriage in the North Central states of Nigeria.
Address
31 Okemesi crescent, near Holy Trinity hospital, opp CBN Headquarters Garki 2, Abuja.
Hotlines
0805 272 3469
0909 234 4525
6. Salama Sexual Assaults Referral Center
Salama referral center offers one of the best sexual abuse counselling services in Nigeria. This center ensures the victims receive medical, psychological, physical, and other support they need.
Address
Salama Sexual Assault Referral Center at Gawna Awan Specialist,
Kakuri, Kaduna State
Hotline
08033837025
7. Specialist Hospital, Yola
This specialist hospital also engage in counseling services for victims of sexual abuse who are struggling to get their lives back on track.
Address
Specialist Hospital,
Yola, Adamawa State.
Hotline
08033162823
8. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), Abuja
Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF) works to end sexual and gender-based violence through direct support for survivors, they promote basic ethics and values in society.
Address
Suite 3, Datum plaza, 120 Benjamin Ficus street, Gaduwa estate, Abuja.
Hotlines
0803 552 3954
0808 278 7045
9. Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital, Borno
Umaru Shehu hospital provides sexually abused victims with supportive medical care to secure their health from suffering from the experience.
Additionally, this hospital provides counseling services that take victims through a step-by-step recovery process.
Address
Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital,
Maiduguri, Borno State
Hotlines
08023585805
10. Yobe Sexual Assault Referral Center
Sexual assault cases shouldn’t be waved aside but reported for immediate solutions and irrespective of who the abuser is, they aren’t above the law.
If you live in Yobe state then you must take advantage of the Yobe sexual assault referral center to provide Justice for victims.
Address
Yobe Sexual Assault Referral Center
Damaturu, Yobe State.
Hotline
07030103847
11. Body Safety Academy
Body Safety Academy (BSA) is a Hybrid Organization dedicated to educating, empowering, supporting and equipping organizations and families with well mapped out strategies to prevent child abuse.
Their mission is to arm children with the knowledge and skills to make informed safety decisions and take appropriate actions when met with harmful situations. They also help parents move from ignorance to enlightenment as relates to body safety education and safeguarding their children from sexual predators.
Address
Kaduna state
12. Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Gusau
Located in Room 18 Amenity Ward, General Hospital Gusau, this is the first of its kind in the state. You can contact them on 0803 557 7891.
Conclusion
Counselling services in northern Nigeria are set in place to fight against sexual abuse across the state, provide Justice for victims, create awareness among the masses and also provide a support system to aid victims’ recovery over time. Hence, sexual abuse cases should not be kept secret for any reason.
Which other sexual abuse counselling services in Nigeria do you know? Let us know in the comments.
There’s a hybrid organization I know in Kaduna doing so well as regards raising awareness of child sexual abuse. Name: Body Safety Academy, they have a campaign at the moment #RaiseDontRuin. They go to schools to teach an hour of body safety education and counsel children.
Thank you for the heads up, we appreciate that. We have documented them.