GBV centre progressing steadily, says expert

A few weeks after its launch, the Isange Gender Based Violence (GBV) - One Stop Centre, is already progressing steadily in as far as protecting victims is concerned.This was revealed to The New Times yesterday by the Project Coordinator, Dr. Grace Igiraneza. She explained that so far, the Kacyiru-based centre has successfully handled 50 GBV cases, 49 involved women and girls while only one case has been reported by a man. “Our mission is to provide care to victims of violence in a more integrated manner. Initially the victims would go to hospitals for treatment, police to report cases and elsewhere for counselling, but not anymore. “All these services are accessed here and consistent follow up is made to ensure that the victim is not violated again. The 50 cases have mainly comprised of rape and domestic violence, but we have handled them well and I must say, we are progressing steadily,” Igiraneza explained. She noted that plans are underway to train community policing personnel who will later disseminate this information to all citizens. Since the centre is only accessible to people within and near Kigali, the Coordinator noted that countrywide roll out of the same services is yet to be done. “Isange is a pilot centre and has objectives of training health workers in all district health facilities to offer the same kind of care,” she added. During the official launch of Isange in July, this year, the Acting Commissioner General of Police, Mary Gahonzire, said that the centre, which is located at the Police Hospital in Kacyiru, will offer coordinated medical, legal and psycho-social services to victims of violence at no cost. “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.” According to police statistics, the top three GBV cases in the first quarter of this year were defilement which stood at 350 cases, physical violence at 111 and 94 rape cases.The centre has over 20 rooms including a forensic department with quality laboratory equipment. Ends

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GBV centre progressing steadily, says expert