The Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Kaduna has decried the increased rate of social stigma against survivors of gender-based violence.

Its manager, Grace Yohanna-Abbin, said this while speaking in Kafanchan on Friday.

Ms Yohanna-Abbin explained that the survivors’ experiences prevented them from speaking out and getting justice.

“Social stigma is always a problem for our survivors because it can result in them not getting justice. The fear of shame or blame stops people from speaking out, and when that happens, people are not able to get justice.

“A lady is raped at a party and you see people blaming her for attending the party. Attending parties does not give anyone the licence to rape a woman. She is supposed to give consent for every sexual relationship,” she added.

She encouraged survivors to overlook the issue of stigma and report any abuse to the centre within 72 hours to enable medical experts to examine them, as well as secure offenders’ convictions.

She said the factors responsible for getting justice for survivors included limited resources, fear of retaliation, lack of enforcement of court judgements and cultural and societal norms.

Ms Yohanna-Abbin tasked stakeholders to do more to break the culture of silence regarding GBV.

The centre is one of four institutions in the state where rape victims and other GBV cases receive free counselling, medical and optional legal interventions.

(NAN)