Groups raise alarm over rising sexual violence in Gombe

Gombe-based organisations, Wildan Care Foundation (WCF) and the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), have raised concern over rising Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases in the state.

They spoke on Thursday in Gombe during an engagement with magistrates to strengthen SGBV prosecution using the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.

Executive Director of Wildan Care Foundation, Hajiya Zariyatu Abubakar, said the initiative followed the high prevalence of SGBV cases across Gombe State.

She said the organisations began stakeholder consultations last year with the Police to identify gaps hindering effective prosecution under Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.

Abubakar said outcomes from the consultations showed the need to engage magistrates on legal and procedural challenges affecting enforcement of existing laws.

“We saw the need to meet magistrates to identify obstacles and jointly explore solutions for firmer, more effective prosecutions that deter perpetrators,” she said.

She stressed proper application of the VAPP Law, noting that light sentences in some cases had failed to discourage offenders.

Abubakar expressed hope that the engagement would lead to stricter sentencing and more decisive judicial action against SGBV perpetrators.

AC4D Executive Director, Mr Ibrahim Yusuf, cited alarming SGBV statistics in Gombe State during the engagement.

He said 35 per cent of women experienced physical or sexual violence in the past 12 months, while 59.3 per cent suffered physical violence since age 15.

Yusuf warned that continued deterioration could place Gombe among states with the highest SGBV prevalence nationwide.

He commended UNICEF and partners for establishing a Referral and Assistance Centre, describing it as a positive step toward survivor protection.

Yusuf said safe spaces would reduce repeated abuse risks while supporting survivors’ recovery and healing.

“While psychosocial support is critical, bringing offenders to book remains the most important aspect of the response,” he said.

He called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach and urged the state government to increase funding for effective survivor care and centre operations.