By Willies Ugo, Gombe
Gombe State – May 6, 2025
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Gombe State Government, is set to establish the first Sexual Abuse Reference Centre (SARC) in the state.
The facility, located within the Gombe State Specialist Hospital, is scheduled to become operational by the end of May 2025.
The centre is designed to provide comprehensive care and support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly women and children.
Services to be offered include emergency medical treatment, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and rehabilitation.
During an inspection of the facility, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, commended the state government’s commitment to addressing the increasing cases of GBV, describing the initiative as timely and essential to protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.
She said: “UNICEF is supporting the establishment of this centre in collaboration with the state government to ensure survivors of GBV, whether children or adult women, receive immediate and holistic care.”
Rafique disclosed that the facility would also serve as a referral point for cases of domestic abuse and violence against children, stressing the need for heightened public awareness to encourage reporting and timely intervention.
She further stated that before the centre’s commencement, there would be capacity-building and training for personnel on evidence preservation, proper documentation, and legal procedures to aid prosecution of perpetrators.
Also speaking, the Medical Director of Gombe State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Sambo Dawa, assured that the centre would operate as a multi-agency hub involving the justice system, medical professionals, and social workers.
He said: “The centre will provide not just clinical treatment, but also psychosocial and forensic support to aid survivors’ recovery and reintegration into society. Clinicians will be trained on how to identify, document and collect evidence in a manner that is admissible in court.”
Dr. Dawa emphasized the hospital’s readiness to work with UNICEF and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the project, which he described as a critical intervention in the fight against GBV.
Despite the adoption of the Child Rights Act in Gombe State, incidents of GBV, particularly rape of minors, have continued to rise. Experts attribute this trend to weak enforcement mechanisms and a culture of silence fueled by stigma and fear of social repercussions.
Stakeholders believe the establishment of the SARC will not only improve access to justice for survivors but also serve as a deterrent to perpetrators, thereby contributing to the creation of a safer environment for women and children.
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