Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has advised Girls and Women facing any form of abuse, especially sexual abuse to speak out in order to be protected.
The Deputy Governor stated this following the successful rescue of an 18-year-old girl from the hands of her guardian Chief Promise Sydney whom she alleged has been sexually abusing her for the past 9 years.
Dr. Banigo who spoke through her Senior Special Assistant, Mrs. Inegogo Fubara expressed delight that the Sex and Sex Abuse Mentorship Exercise organized by The Protect the Girl Child Initiative, Office of theDeputy Governor at the Federal Government Girls College Abuloma yielded dividends.
According to her a few days after the event an SS 3 student confessed to the School authorities that her guardian has been abusing her sexually since she was 9 years old.
She said the Protect the Girl Child Initiative team of the Deputy Governor’s Office contacted the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and the man was arrested and charged to Court today, while the girl has been taken to a safe haven for protection, further counseling and rehabilitation.
Dr. Banigo who commended FIDA for responding swiftly to the distress call insisted that Girls and Women must speak out when abused to mitigate this ugly scourge.
