An activist who has turned into an expert with huge intelligence in gender-based violence has revealed why sexual and gender-based violence seems to run deep in victims. The expert has pointed to the psychological threats to victims and their families as reasons the trauma never seems to go away.
Mfon Utin, the Coordinator of Healthy Life Development Initiative (HELDi), who has begun mobilization in Etche area of Rivers State against the malady, revealed how SGBV constituted a grave violation of human rights with serious physical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
The expert said the danger is that most victims hardly spoke out and their relations rather encourage secret suffering, thus subjecting the victims to a life of torture that eats deeper into them as years go by. At the end, the victim begin to feel hated and rejected by the society and may become anti-social persons who do not believe in the government, the authorities, the system, and elders. They think these layers of authority are not there for them. Often, they become lawless.
Utin spoke at the training programme for SGBV volunteers in Etche. She said despite growing awareness and the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) in 2015, domesticated in Rivers State in 2020, there had been a gap in the establishment of local response teams, with only one previously functional team operating at the state level. Also, Rivers State is yet to set up a special court to try offenders of SGBV as some nearby states such as Akwa Ibom have just done to send clear message that sex-related offences and violence are not to be tolerated.
She commended the support of Etche traditional leaders, relevant stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, including the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local security operatives, and the newly selected team members for their commitment to the new initiative.
In a report of the Etche programme, it was noted that the establishment of the SGBV Response Team in Etche represented a critical milestone in ensuring justice, protection, and support for survivors.
It was also reported that 25 team members, carefully selected from across the Etche clans, were tasked with responding to SGBV cases, supporting survivors, facilitating reporting, and improving data collection. HELDi thus pledged to immediately begin comprehensive training to build the team’s capacity.
To formalize the initiative, the HELDi coordinator presented copies of the VAPP Law to the representative of the Etche traditional rulers, Hezekiah Nwamegbulem, a chief, and the SGBV Response Team coordinator for their reference and review. She emphasized that this is a state-led initiative, and that upon the conclusion of the training and other activities, the Rivers State Government would officially launch the Etche Response Team, signaling a new chapter in the collective fight against gender-based violence.
The event which took place at the Umuechem Community Secondary School Hall was aimed at setting up community capacity-building training with recognition for Success Elemuwa, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Etche, who also serves as the coordinator of the SGBV Response Team.
The team coordinator emphasized the importance of their role in addressing SGBV issues within the community. He urged team members to approach their duties with seriousness and a strong sense of responsibility, highlighting the values of teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication.
He equally reminded participants that the initiative was voluntary, non-governmental, and non-profit, and that their true reward lies in the recognition and impact of their work on the Etche ethnic nationality.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to Healthy Life Development Initiatives (HELDi) and its coordinator for the vision and commitment that led to the establishment of the SGBV Response Team, acknowledging that Etche had long lagged behind in tackling SGBV related concerns.
Representing the Etche Ethnic Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Hezekiah Nwamegbulem, the General Secretary, spoke on behalf of the monarch. He conveyed the council’s full support for the initiative, recognizing it as a long-awaited solution to the persistent issue of violence in the community. He officially inaugurated the Etche SGBV Response Team on behalf of the traditional council.
Several key figures delivered goodwill messages, including members of the newly formed response team, a representative of the National Council of Women Societies (Eunice Odum), and Solomon Emmanuel the local coordinator of the National Youth Council of Nigeria.
The state SGBV response team coordinator facilitated the first session, offering a comprehensive overview of SGBV, referral services, and the VAPP Law. His presentation was interactive, allowing participants to explore the legal and practical aspects of case handling.
There was detailed clarification on what constitutes consent and how it can be withdrawn, along with guidance on dealing with attempted rape cases.
Participants discussed strategies for raising awareness and encouraging survivors to report incidents while challenging the harmful notion that victims’ clothing provokes violence. The discussion firmly emphasized the responsibility of the perpetrator, not the victim.
In response, the state coordinator emphasized the supremacy of the Nigerian Constitution and the VAPP Law over traditional and cultural practices that perpetuate violence and injustice.
The HELDi coordinator further emphasized the urgency of reporting and referral of rape cases within two days to government health facilities without interference to preserve forensic evidence for treatment, survivor’s safety, and prosecution.
