A new foundation that will fight the menace of human trafficking and Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) has been launched in Abuja.
The Non-governmental Organisation, Roost Foundation said plans has been concluded to introduce Sexual Assault and Referral Centres (SARC) to assist SGBV survivors in the country.
Roost Foundation is an initiative of Barr. Dame Julie Okah-Donli the current Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Funds for Victims of Human Trafficking and the immediate past Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
Speaking during the launch of the foundation on Wednesday she said the launch of the foundation building and other facilities is aimed at exposing perpetrators of SGBV across the country.
She also said it is dedicated to campaigns and actions aimed at uplifting the lots of the downtrodden and less privileged members of the society adding that it is the culmination of her dream to continue the work she started as at NAPTIP.
“During my tenure, I poured my whole heart and soul to fight on behalf of victims of trafficking, domestic violence and rape. I have dedicated my life to this crusade because I am convinced that God has called me to this task.”
According to her, the objectives of the Foundation include public awareness creation on the evils of human trafficking and gender based violence and notably rape which became a pandemic during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown last year.
“We hope to collaborate effectively wth governmental and Non-governmental organisations, local and international law enforcement agencies as well as international organisations to ensure an effective national response to the twin scour ges earlier mentioned.
“We would offer pro bono services to SGBV survivors to assist them to get justice. While also seeking for justice, the DNA of perpetrators would be traced at the SARC Centre to serve as evidence in court.
Barr. Okah-Donli also said they have partnered with an hospital for medical treatment for cases of sexual assaults and violence while also saying they will be getting DNA of victim to serve as evidence in court. “This is because most times, victims do not get justice because of lack of evidence. The hospital will take care of injuries as regards emergency cases.
“Survivors would thereafter be trained in different skills at the Centre in their choiced area.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyema who was a guest speaker at the launch said, haven’t worked with NAPTIP, Barr. Okah-Donli has seen enormous challenges and how to go about it he ce, her venturing into feat to tackle issues of human trafficking and Sexual violence.
Mr. Onyeama said we know that 1000s of Nigerian girls and women are been trafficked across the border annually but she has out up this mechanism to tackle the challenge.
“This challenge is a global challenge that need to be tackle by people that are resilient. We have seen a lot of sacrifice in what she has chosen to do. No doubt she will succeed in this feat because she has built what will last forever.”
