GASABO - With an aim of improving service delivery, care and support to survivors of domestic and Gender Based Violence (GBV), three entities have collaborated to launch a GBV one-stop centre.

The Rwanda National Police Health Services yesterday instituted the centre known by its new name Isange in partnership with the United Nations (UN) and Imbuto Foundation.

According to the Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire, Isange which is located at the Police hospital in Kacyiru, will offer coordinated medical, legal and psycho-social services to violence survivors at no cost.

"With regard to its new Kinyarwanda name which translates as "feel welcome and free” in English, the centre will offer comfortable and confidential surroundings under which the victims will be treated by trained personnel and receive counseling as well,” Gahonzire said.

"This is a hospital, so if need be, we will transport victims in terrible condition by ambulance to the centre. They will then stay here until they heal completely emotionally and physically as investigations continue,” Gahonzire said.

In a bid to curb the vice, she also highlighted that the police started a project that aims at prevention, detection and management adding that the centre is an answer to both prevention and management.

"It is an eventual process that aims at zero crime-rate as regards sexual and GBV as it will also help break the silence since victims will find this a safe haven after reporting cases,” she added.

In relation to this development, the UN Resident Coordinator, Aurelien Agbénonci also hailed Rwandan police for showing extra care to victims adding that the centre goes one step further to make a multi-sectoral response and prevention strategy a reality.

 "In other countries, the police only place emphasis on criminal investigation but here it is unique. The police are exceptional they not only carry out investigations but also care about victims.”

"They bring them, listen to them and give both legal and medical services which is not the image of police elsewhere. This initiative provides, comprehensive, timely, affordable and effective services and this shows zero tolerance to the vice, a reason why we partnered with them,” he said.

According to the Director General of Imbuto Foundation, Radegonde Ndejuru, Isange is the first of its kind and it will certainly support the organization’s advocacy efforts in relation to fighting GBV.

The centre has over 20 rooms including a forensic department.
Statistics from police show that in the first quarter of this year, the top three GBV cases were defilement of under 18 year-olds which stood at 350 cases, physical violence was 111 and 94 rape cases.

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