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Nigeria’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), Mirabel Centre, has recorded 10,000 survivors of sexual violence who have sought and received support at the Centre since its establishment in 2013.
This was contained in a statement by the Communication Officer, Nancy-Olive Tamuno.
According to the statement, the milestone highlights both the trust survivors place in the Centre and the scale of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria. Many survivors face stigma, fear, limited access to services and weak justice outcomes, leaving countless cases unreported.
The Centre provides free, survivor-centred medical, psychosocial, forensic and legal support, regardless of age, gender, or background. For many survivors, it is the first place where they are believed, protected and treated with dignity.
“Reaching 10,000 survivors is both a moment of impact and a moment of reflection,” said Itoro Eze-Anaba, Founder of the Centre. “It tells us that survivors trust us. But, it also reminds us of the scale of sexual violence in our society and how much more work remains.”
She noted that beyond crisis response, the Centre works in prevention education, professional training and advocacy to improve survivor care, accountability and long-term outcomes. “However, demand for services continues to grow, underscoring the need for sustained funding, stronger policies, and collective action,” she said.
Mirabel Centre calls on government, healthcare providers, law enforcement, the private sector and communities to treat sexual violence as a national emergency and prioritise survivor-centred responses.
