RSG, FIDA Plan Care Rehab For Rape Victims

Worried over the plight of rape victims, the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in collaboration with International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) have made public plans to set up a special care scheme for victims of rape in the state.

The plan was the fallout of a one-day seminar on, “Rape, Sexual Violence”, put together by the Ministry in conjunction with Doctors Without Borders on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

Part of the scheme include the setting up of a rehabilitation and care centre for victims, while FIDA has agreed to oversee legal reprieve for victims.

Following the development, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon Joe Poroma said social workers in the ministry would be fully equipped to help victims of rape overcome their challenges.

 With the passage of the Child Right bill into law, he said, more stiffer penalties would be meted out to culprits as a way of checking the menace.

Hon Poroma blamed the swelling trend the erosion of family values, especially by adults who rape children leaving them with psychological trauma.

The Social Welfare Commissioner advised parents and guardians to report such cases to the ministry or to doctors without boarders at Teme Hospital in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the topic, “Legal Implication of Rape and other Sexual Violence, Chairperson of FIDA in Rivers State, Mrs Florence Fiberesima speaking through Mrs Evelyn Asimia identified rape as a criminal offence punishable by life imprisonment.

She urged victims to  always report to the appropriate places for actions. The FIDA chairperson also assured of the group, plan to provide legal and counselling assistance to victims.

Earlier in his presentation, the Coordinator of the Outreach Department of Doctors Without Borders, Mrs Glory Kanu said a rape victim is bound to face many risk among which are medical and psychological hazards.

According to her, it is very important to report to them within 72 hours for adequate and timely treatment as such treatment inches prevention of HIV/AIDS.

She noted that the body provides medical care and psychological support to victims of violence such as beatings, gunshot and stab wounds, assault / fight, victims of rape and other fresh trauma and urged members of the public to assess them free of charge.