By Willies Ugo, Gombe
January 23, 2026
The fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially sexual assault against minors, has received a major boost in Gombe State with the launch of a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at the State Specialist Hospital, Gombe.
The centre was established through a collaboration between the Gombe State Government, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation to provide coordinated medical, legal and psychosocial support for survivors of sexual violence.
Stakeholders say cases of sexual abuse, particularly involving children, are often underreported due to stigma, fear and a culture of silence among families, leaving many survivors traumatised and without access to justice or care.
Launching the facility on behalf of the Deputy Governor, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, said the initiative was driven by growing concern over rising cases of sexual assault, noting that the centre will ensure survivors receive timely treatment, counselling, rehabilitation and legal assistance in a confidential setting.
Chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, described the centre as a necessary response mechanism but stressed that prevention remains the ultimate goal, urging families, communities and institutions to work together to protect children and end sexual violence.
A member of the Gombe State House of Assembly and Health Committee, Musa Manaja Zambuk, said the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) and Child Protection laws demonstrates the state legislature’s commitment to tackling sexual abuse, but emphasised that effective implementation is key to punishing offenders.
The Chief Medical Director of the Specialist Hospital, Dr Sambo Dawa, disclosed that the hospital recorded 645 sexual assault cases involving children aged 10 to 14 between 2021 and 2025, many from rural communities, expressing confidence that the centre would improve response time and access to care.
Also speaking, Executive Director of Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation, Mrs Grace Samuel, commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for partners, noting that the centre is equipped with medical, counselling, laboratory and security facilities designed to restore dignity to survivors and strengthen referral pathways with the police, NSCDC, lawyers and support providers.
