The Katsina Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) has recorded 110 cases of sexual assault since its establishment in December 2023, highlighting growing awareness and response to gender-based violence in the state.
Out of the total cases documented, 60 have been uploaded into the Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS) to enhance coordination and data-driven response to sexual and gender-based violence.
This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary, Department of Girl Child Education and Child Development, Mr. Aminu Badaru-Jikamshi, during the opening ceremony of a three-day training workshop for stakeholders held in Katsina on Tuesday.
The training, organised by the department in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), brought together representatives from Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States, including medical personnel, justice and police officers, social workers, gender-based violence desk officers, and SARC staff.
Badaru-Jikamshi said the initiative aims to strengthen access to services for survivors of sexual violence through a child-centred and survivor-focused approach.
“This progress reflects our growing ability to document, monitor, and respond to child protection concerns with professionalism and transparency,” he stated.
The permanent secretary commended UNICEF for its continued support and partnership, which he said has equipped the state with the tools, training, and coordination mechanisms needed to improve response to cases of abuse.
He added that the state is considering a study tour to other states that have fully operational SARC centres to learn best practices and enhance the efficiency of the Katsina facility.
“We are exploring the possibility of organising a study tour to some states that have already established and operationalised their SARC centres. This will help us learn from their experiences and ensure full and effective operation of our own centre here in Katsina,” he said.
Badaru-Jikamshi urged participants to make the most of the training by sharing experiences and improving coordination to guarantee timely and survivor-centred services for children and vulnerable individuals.
He also expressed appreciation to UNICEF and other partners for their “unwavering commitment” to building a safer environment for every child in Katsina State.
“Through UNICEF’s generous support, our SARC centre has been equipped with essential working tools, greatly enhancing the quality of care we provide to survivors,” he added.
In her remarks, Ms. Pragna Chakma, representing Mr. Ibrahim Sesay, UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection in Abuja, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to end violence against children.
Chakma recalled that in 2024, the Minister of Women Affairs reaffirmed Nigeria’s national pledge to eliminate violence against children, noting that UNICEF has since intensified its technical and material support to help the government achieve that goal.
“UNICEF remains committed to partnering with government agencies and civil society to ensure every child is protected, every survivor is supported, and every community is safe,” she said.
The training marks another milestone in Katsina’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its child protection and gender-based violence response system, with the SARC centre serving as a vital hub for medical, legal, and psychosocial support for survivors.
