Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated a new edifice to permanently serve as Sexual Assault Referral Centre (Moremi Clinic) for victims of Gender Based Violence in the State.
The Centre known as Moremi Clinic is situated within the premises of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
Speaking at the inauguration of the Clinic, Governor Fayemi explained that the inauguration of the referral Centre at a time the World was marking campaign against GBV speaks to his administration’s commitment to global best practices in the promotion and protection of women’s rights in the State.
The Moremi Clinic, which according to the Governor was the outcome of the efforts of the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Committee chaired by his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, would provide free medical, legal and other supports that would guarantee justice for survivor of sexual violence in the state.
Fayemi also added that the clinic has a rapid response team, medical team, counselling team, legal team, police team and community outreach team as its component operational structure for effective service delivery to victims.
The Governor, who observed that one in every three women would be raped, beaten and coerced into sex or abused in her lifetime, urged victims of sexual assaults to speak out and report to designated authorities.
He noted that Ekiti has a strong legal framework that protects and promotes the rights of women and the girl child.
Fayemi said; “I am pleased to note that this event is taking place at the onset of the annual Global 16 Days Campaign Against Gender Based Violence that runs from November 25th-December 10th.
“Violence against women and girls is the most pervasive human rights abuse in the world, affecting every society, Ekiti state inclusive, and its negative impact is borne not only by the victim and her immediate family, but by the entire community.
”It is our duty to continue to seek out ways to support victims, which is why we are here today.
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The Moremi Clinic being commissioned today is Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), which is a free, one-stop, survivor-centred facility that prioritises the rights and needs of survivors of sexual violence, and is the outcome of efforts by the Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Management Committee – the body responsible for implementing the 2019 GBV Law in Ekiti State.
“The Moremi Clinic (Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre) will provide the following free services; Screening and preventive treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, Collection and processing of forensic evidence, Support for going through the legal process, Providing a medico-legal report for diligent prosecution.
” Treatment and care of child victims of sexual abuse, Collection and management of relevant data, Counselling and psycho-social support, Information, support, and counselling for parents, family members, and partners, Education and information for community or professional groups.”
Earlier the Wife of the Governor and Chairperson, Ekiti State GBV Committee, Erelu Bisi Fayemi said the launch of the referral centre was in demonstration of Dr Fayemi’s strong political will in tackling gender based pandemic in the State.
Mrs Fayemi who had on the 23rd of June commissioned a temporary site for Moremi Clinic said, “The woman and children and probably men who come here will enter this centre as victim, they will however leave as survivor because this place exist to provide a full range support to those who experienced various form of sexual assaults.”
She noted the support of the Ekiti State Covid-19 Resource Mobilisation Committee for the Moremi clinic. “This building was made possible by the Ekiti State Covid19 Resource Mobilisation Committee, who recognised the role that COVID19 has played in increasing the vulnerability of women and girls, and the need for a long-term institutional response.
“We also received support from the Susan and Richard Kiphart Family Foundation in the United States, facilitated by Professor Funmilayo Olopade.
The Ekiti State Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office is also supporting the Moremi Clinic with furniture and equipment.” She added.
The Ekiti State First Lady also commended those who had been of support to the Gender Based Committee, particularly the late Barrister Seyi Ojo who was the Legal Counsel in the Ministry of Justice and Coordinator of the Gender and Vulnerable Persons Unit in the Office of the Wife of the Governor.
The Chief Medical Director of EKSUTH, Prof. Kayode Oyebanji, in his remark, disclosed that about 40 survivors of sexual assault had been successfully attended to since the inception of the clinic in June, 2020.
He explained that the medical team that formed parts of the referral centre was made up of Gynaecologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists, Nurses, Medical social workers and clinical psychologists to provide specialized and holistic care for survivor of sexual assaults.
