‘We need to break the silence on sex abuse’ – Banigo

Rivers State Deputy Governor Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo says there is an urgent need to break the silence on sex abuse.

Dr Banigo expressed this while speaking on the She in Tech Day, in the on-going Startup Port Harcourt Week at the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park on Wednesday, 23rd October, 2019.

Represented by her Senior Special Assistant, Bar. Inegogo Fubara, Dr. Banigo who decried the high prevalence rate of sexual abuse amongst children, stressed that the Girl Child is a vulnerable gender.

“This is why we need to talk about it, we need to break the silence about sex abuse. Many people in this situation do not know what to do. We are now letting them know that the Office of the Deputy Governor is here to help through the Protect the Girl Child Initiative, under this initiative we have been reaching out”. Dr. Banigo stressed.

The Deputy Governor, who said she is passionate about protecting the Girl Child rights and the total wellbeing of the Girl Child, noted that the Girl Child needs to be groomed emotionally, physically and academically.

She identified four key steps to be taken when a Girl Child is abused which includes reporting to the parents or a trusted adult, reporting to the police, contacting the Office of the Deputy Governor, going to the clinic immediately, getting a lawyer and to seek counselling.

The Convener of Startup Port Harcourt Week, Bereni Fiberesima had earlier said the She in Tech Day was set up to identify with women and bridge the gender gap, noting that women have gained milestones in tech but have not been given the desired recognition.