Nigeria Launches Investigative Guide to Tackle Sexual Violence, Strengthen Justice for Survivors

Nigeria Launches Investigative Guide to Tackle Sexual Violence, Strengthen Justice for Survivors

By: Michael Mike

In a renewed push to confront the widespread challenge of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), key stakeholders across Nigeria’s justice sector and international community on Thursday unveiled a new investigative tool aimed at improving the handling and prosecution of sexual assault cases.

The Quick Reference Guide for Investigating Sexual Assault was launched at a high-level event attended by members of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, government institutions, civil society groups, and development partners. The initiative is expected to enhance the capacity of frontline responders and ensure a more coordinated, survivor-centred approach to justice delivery, particularly in the insurgency-affected Northeast.

Speaking at the launch, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Cheikh Toure, described the guide as a critical step forward in addressing gaps in the investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases.

He noted that communities in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States have endured years of conflict and displacement, conditions that have heightened the risk of sexual violence and deepened the need for effective justice mechanisms.

Toure explained that the guide provides practical, field-based direction for responders, outlining key steps from the point of reporting to the preparation of case files. It also incorporates referral pathways to ensure survivors are promptly connected to medical, legal, and psychosocial support services.

He acknowledged the Government of Canada for its support, emphasizing that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to ending impunity and ensuring that survivors have access to justice. He further stressed that the initiative was driven by Nigerian institutions and developed through consultations with local experts, making it both context-specific and sustainable.

A major focus of the guide, according to Toure, is the proper handling of forensic evidence—often the deciding factor in securing convictions. He warned that poorly collected or mishandled evidence continues to undermine cases, allowing perpetrators to evade justice. To address this, the initiative is complemented by ongoing efforts to strengthen forensic infrastructure, including upgrades to sexual assault referral centres and laboratory capacity in Abuja.

Also addressing participants, Hon. Justice Obiora Egwuatu painted a sobering picture of the prevalence and impact of SGBV in Nigeria, describing it as a daily reality cutting across all communities. He defined SGBV as acts driven by unequal power relations and harmful gender norms, encompassing offences such as rape, domestic violence, child marriage, sexual harassment, and economic abuse.

He noted that while women and girls remain the most affected, men and boys also suffer in silence due to stigma and societal expectations that discourage disclosure.

According to him, the consequences of SGBV are devastating, ranging from physical injuries and psychological trauma to unwanted pregnancies, infections, and, in extreme cases, death.

Beyond individual victims, he said, the ripple effects of such violence destabilize families, strain public health systems, and weaken the social fabric of communities.

Justice Egwuatu identified several barriers to addressing SGBV effectively, including a culture of silence, stigma, weak reporting systems, delayed investigations, poor evidence management, and low conviction rates. He also highlighted the lack of accessible support services such as shelters, legal aid, and mental health care, which leaves many survivors without adequate assistance.

He further pointed to entrenched cultural norms and economic hardship as drivers of vulnerability, particularly for women and children, while conflict situations continue to exacerbate risks.

Calling for a collective response, the judge stressed that ending SGBV requires action beyond government institutions. He urged individuals, families, religious bodies, schools, and community groups to play active roles in supporting survivors, challenging harmful norms, and exposing perpetrators.

“We must break the silence, believe survivors, and ensure that justice is not denied,” he said, adding that the newly launched investigative aide-memoire would serve as a vital resource for judges, law enforcement officers, and other stakeholders in strengthening accountability.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that while the launch of the guide marks significant progress, sustained collaboration, improved institutional capacity, and societal change will be critical to ending sexual violence and ensuring justice for survivors across Nigeria.

Nigeria Launches Investigative Guide to Tackle Sexual Violence, Strengthen Justice for Survivors