Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Mirabel Centre, has said that 10,000 survivors of sexual violence have sought and received support at the Centre since its establishment in 2013. According to the Centre, the milestone highlights both the trust survivors place in SARC and the scale of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. It stated that many survivors face stigma, fear, limited access to services, and weak justice outcomes, leaving countless cases unreported. Founder of Mirabel Centre, Eze-Anaba, said: “It tells us that survivors trust us. But it also reminds us of the scale of sexual violence in our society and how much more work remains.”“Reaching 10,000 survivors is both a moment of impact and a moment of reflection.”The Centre, therefore, called on government, healthcare providers, law enforcement, the private sector, and communities to treat sexual violence as a national emergency and prioritise survivor-centred responses.

Source: The Guardian February 04, 2026 06:12 UTC