Create State-Wide Sexual Assaults Referral Centre, Lawyers Alert Urges Benue Governor
Some participants at the press conference to seek for a framework for Sexual Assaults Referral Centre in Benue State recently. Lawyers Alert, a non-profit group, has urged Benue State Governor Rev Fr Dr. Hyacinth Alia to establish a framework for the state's Sexual Assaults Referral Centre (SARC). SARC is a specialized medical and support facility where survivors of sexual assault can receive medical care, evidence collection (forensic examinations), counselling, and support services including access to justice. Barrister Solumtochukwu Precious Ozobulu, Lawyers Alert's Senior Legal Officer made the call at a press conference and also urged the governor to expedite action on the review of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law in Benue state. She noted that 80 percent of human rights violations in Benue State are gender-based related and that less than 10 percent of these survivors of gender-based violence access justice. Lawyers Alert said Sexual and Gender-Based Vio