August 01, (THEWILL) — Benue State Sexual Referral Centre has extended its services to the 23 local government council areas of the state for optimal service delivery.
The State Coordinator of the Centre, Dr Linda Dalisu, who made the disclosure in Makurdi on Friday while speaking on activities of the centre, explained that the move was to avail rural dwellers increased access to what it is projecting.
While lamenting that most people remain ignorant of the process required to get justice if raped, she assured that reported cases were always handled with optimum confidentiality.
The coordinator, therefore, advised those at the grassroots requiring justice for Gender Based Violence (GBV), particularly rape, to visit Primary Healthcare Centres nearest to them to access such services through the GBV Desk Officers stationed there.
Doctor Dalisu, added that traditional rulers will be involved to break certain cultural barriers inhibiting the success of the services within their domain.
According to her, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, is working with the Ministry of Women Affairs, and that of Justice and Public Order, the Police and other security forces to ensure that perpetrators of the acts in the state are brought to justice.
She noted that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration was passionate about vulnerable groups and those he has given the mandate to cater for them were working hard to ensure his plans were fully achieved and appealed to Benue people to always report such cases for prompt actions.
