By Precious Oham
Justice Development and Peace Initiative, JDPI, of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, and stakeholders have clamoured for compensation of survivors of Gender-Based-Violence, GBV, in Ekiti State.
The stakeholders, comprising the Nigeria Police Force, Directorate of State Service, Nigeria Correctional Service and the media, made the disclosure on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti at a Stakeholders Meeting organised by JDPI.
According to them, there is need for survivors of GBV to be compensated beyond punishments and fines on the perpetrators adding that they will liase with the relevant authorities on their proposition.
They identified factors responsible for the increase in GBV cases such as culture and traditions, drug abuse, stigmatization, parental care and the use of English language to deprive appreciation of good values.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of JDPI, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade said the programme is geared towards seeking out ways to nip GBV in the bud.
According to him, there should be collaboration between the security agencies and the media in the fight against GBV noting that more sensitization and awareness creation is needed.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sunday Abutu said the Ekiti State Police Command are saddened by the alarming rate of GBV adding that efforts are in top gear to bring the perpetrators to book.
He regretted some instances where victims of GBV would negotiate with the perpetrators without proper prosecution in court saying that it has hindered the fight against GBV.
The media on their part pledged to continue to create more awareness and sensitization while decrying the high level of indiscipline among public school students in the state.