The newly appointed Coordinator of the Edo State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Dr. Georgina Eromosele, has promised to ensure justice for the victims of rape and other gender-based violence in the state.
Eromosele, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, called for the support of residents to tackle sexual and gender-based violence including rape and domestic violence, in line with the vision of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Mrs Betsy Obaseki.
The new coordinator for the centre, which is named after the late teenage victim of rape, Vivian Ogu, is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU) medical school, with a Masters degree in Public Health from the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho, and was most recently a Senior Medical Officer at Central Hospital, Benin City.
Eromosele, who earlier served as Head of the District Hospital, Ekiadolor, is a Member of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, and was Secretary-General, Association of Resident Doctors, Edo State HMB chapter, before her appointment.
She reiterated the need for prompt reporting of all incidents of sexual and gender-based violence as soon as they happen to law enforcement agencies, adding, “Thereafter parents, guardians or relatives can get victims to avail themselves of medical and sundry services at the centre.”
Eromosele noted that the state government has adequately equipped the centre to cater for the needs of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, adding, “a 24/7 telephone helpline would soon be opened at the Centre and made available to the public for prompt, secure and unhindered reporting of sexual assaults and gender-based violence. And every help we render to victims is completely free of charge from start to finish.”
She further stated that the government would be establishing branches of the Centre in all the local government areas of the state, across the three senatorial districts, “to accentuate the seriousness of this government about this consequential issue, especially rape and defilement”.
According to her, “the Vivian Centre is one of a kind in the country and is well positioned to serve as a safe environment where survivors are given all the required care and support they need, including medical examination, screening and preventive treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections.”
