A one-stop sexual assault referral centre has been commissioned in Cross River State.
The centre was established by Heartland Alliance Ltd in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
Performing the inauguration on Tuesday in Calabar on behalf of the wife of the state governor, Dr. Linda Ayade, Janet Ekpenyong, said the centre would provide succour for victims of sexual assault.
Ekpenyong, who is the Director General of state Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said Linda Ayade “is an advocate of anything that concerns the welfare of women and children,” hence her support for the centre as she commended Heartland Alliance for the centre and for “playing a great role in ending gender-based violence.”
She said in the past victims did not get justice, but the establishment of the centre would enable victims get justice. She also lamented that Cross River State had one of the highest cases of gender based violence.
“As DG of Primary Healthcare, we are always available to assist,” she said, adding that drugs are associated with violence and they will continue to ensure that children are taken off the streets.
Earlier, the Team Lead of Heartland Alliance for Cross River, Dr. Lawrence Ajayi said, “In Cross River State, the organisation works across the 18 LGAs in the state,” with similar centres in Calabar Municipal, Bakassi, Yakurr, Ikom and Ogoja.
He said part of the programme’s objective is to prevent, reduce and manage cases of violence against key population.
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