Advocacy Brief
Increased State Funding for the Operationalization of the Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (BenSACR)
Background
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a major public health and human rights concern in Benue State, with adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) disproportionately affected. Survivors face significant barriers in accessing medical care, psychosocial support, and justice due to stigma, limited awareness, and under-resourced response mechanisms. The Benue State Sexual Assault Referral
Center (BenSACR) was established to provide comprehensive, survivor-centered services including emergency medical care, forensic examination, psychosocial counseling, and legal referrals. Despite its critical role, BenSACR’s operations remain underfunded and largely donor-dependent, limiting its ability to provide consistent, quality, and 24-hour services to survivors across the state.
Problem Statement
While the number of reported SGBV cases in Benue continues to rise, BenSACR’s limited operational funding constrains its capacity to respond effectively. Without adequate state investment, the centre cannot fully meet survivors’ needs or coordinate responses across the health, justice, and social sectors.
This gap leaves many survivors particularly AGYW in rural and conflict-affected areas without timely or
comprehensive support.