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Akwa Ibom State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee says it would henceforth not condone cases of gender-based violence, with or without the cooperation of the victim.
Domiciled in the office of First Lady, AksGBVMC says such issues have now become cases between offenders and the state and could therefore be pursued even after the victim backs out of the case.
Akwa Ibom State First Lady Designate, Lady Helen Eno Obareki while speaking with newsmen in her office in Uyo, decried the recent spike in domestic violence, sexual assault, and gender-based violence (GBV), describing it as a stain on the state’s collective conscience
Making specific reference to recent domestic violence which tragically led to the death of a young lady at the hands of the man she was in a relationship with, Mrs. Obareki challenged women to break the silence surrounding domestic violence and make use of the available reporting channels in the state to seek help and report such cases.
She reported a recent rescue of three young girls “(Human Trafficking Survivors) Along Ibom Plaza, Uyo., after being harbored, defiled, and exploited by two men and others still at large.
In her words “Thanks to the intelligence efforts of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), three young girls were rescued after being harbored, defiled, and exploited by two men and others still at large.
“The two apprehended suspects are currently behind bars, facing charges of rape and dealing with children for prostitution. This operation underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration and the relentless pursuit of justice for survivors”.
She also reported an arrest of Six Persons around Etoi, Uyo, for repeatedly defining a 14-year-old boy and threatening the victim with death if disclosed the sexual abuse.
“Around the Etoi, Uyo, a 14-year-old boy was repeatedly raped and threatened with death if he disclosed the abuse. Thanks to the swift action of the police, all six perpetrators have been arrested, and investigations have been concluded. The Ministry of Justice has received the case file for prosecution.” She said
“These acts are not only a violation of human rights but also a stain on our collective conscience as a society. Today, we stand together to condemn these heinous crimes, highlight the progress made in addressing them, and call on every citizen to join us in breaking the culture of silence
The Coordinator, office of the First Lady also used the occasion to condemn recent police assault and physical manhandling of a pregnant woman over a third-party insurance paper, saying such behavior is unacceptable.
“This behavior is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. Our law enforcement officers are called to a higher standard of service to humanity, and we urge the relevant authorities to investigate this incident and ensure accountability”.She said
She assured that AksGBVMC, in collaboration with its partners and the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Response Department of the Ministry of Justice, remain steadfast in their commitment to ending GBV. “Our efforts have led to the rescue of survivors, the arrest of perpetrators, and the initiation of legal proceedings to ensure justice.
” We have established robust reporting mechanisms, such as the dedicated helpline (+2348032713332), an active website, and Facebook and Instagram handle to encourage victims and witnesses to come forward.”. She advised
Presenting statistics on several cases received and convictions on GBV since the inauguration of the committee in 2020, Secretary of the Committee, Barr Emem Ette said the AksGBVMC has received a total of 1410 cases and has secured convictions for 72 of those cases. She listed inconsistency on the part of victims as a major hindrance to the prosecution of offenders.
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