By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin
The newly-appointed Coordinator of Edo State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Benin, Dr. Georgina Eromosele, has urged residents to support the efforts of Governor Godwin Obaseki, and his wife, Betsy, in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence, including rape and domestic violence.
She spoke to reporters yesterday in Benin while assuming duty at the centre named after the late teenager-victim of rape, Vivian Ugu.
Eromosele noted that Edo residents’ support should be by way of prompt reporting of incidence of sexual and gender-based violence, as soon as they happened, to law enforcement agencies, to get victims to avail themselves of medical and sundry services at the centre.
She assured residents of round-the-clock response at the centre, stressing that the government had equipped the centre to cater for the needs of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, with plan underway for 24/7 phone helpline for the public for prompt, secure and unhindered reporting of sexual assault and gender-based violence.
Eromosele said the help rendered to the victims was free of charge.
She said Obaseki and his wife were passionate about addressing the rising incidence of sexual violence.
She said the government would establish branches of the centre in the 18 local governments, to tackle rape.
Said she: “The Vivian Centre is one of a kind in the country. It is well positioned to serve as a safe environment where survivors are given the required care and support they need, including medical examination, screening and preventive treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually-transmitted infections.
“The collection of forensic evidence and the screening for drugs, where the use of stupefying substances is suspected, are also part of the centre’s tasks.”
Eromosele, who had served as the head of the District Hospital, Ekiadolor, near Benin, advised Edo residents to support the Obaseki administration.
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