Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a complex problem that requires specialized skills to be adequately addressed. One of the major challenges in handling GBV cases is the lack of requisite knowledge by service providers to effectively deliver basic first response services.  A positive initial encounter with security officers is crucial for survivors and the role of security actors in their support to the response of the justice sector has consistently been cited as one of the most challenging issues when responding to incidents of violence against women and girls. Stigma and stereotyping around GBV cases often hamper survivors access to justice and undercuts the quality of protection afforded to them.

For this reason, a training was conducted for men and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to improve their knowledge and skills on how to respond and refer GBV survivors using a survivor-centered approach. A total of 50 officers of the NSCDC were trained to acknowledge security as a central GBV response service that entails effective case management saddled with quality sample collection to support forensics, appropriate referral to legal aid, and safety for survivors seeking prosecution.

UNFPA Nigeria is working not only on an efficient response but a based human rights response.