An advocacy group under the aegis of Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (ROLAC) has unveiled a newly built and equipped family support unit in Ihiala police division, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra state.
The DAILY VENDOR gathered that the building will serve as a place of interrogation of victims of rape, molestation, gender based violence, sexual assaults and will be managed by the Ihiala Police Division.
Speaking at the event, the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Onochie Anyachabelu said Family Support Unit across the country is aimed at enhancing access to justice for children and to improve the handling of children in contact with the law.
Justice Anyachebelu represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Mrs Vivian Udedike who noted that if the fundamental rights of children are denied at the early stage of life, they will likely turn out to become criminals, stating that children need to be protected, nurtured, cared and catered for so they are not caught up in juvenile practices.
Mrs Udedike commended ROLAC for their support programs pointing out that they will soon commission two family courts at Onitsha.
The Anambra state Commissioner Of Police, Mr John Abang represented by the Area Commander, Ihiala Division, Mr Falade Michael, however frowned at the increasing rate of girl child abuse, stating that it is mostly caused by the environment the victims finds himself.
Mr Michael further noted that ROLAC has helped to solve most of their problems with provision of the unit because it will promote privacy during their interrogations to achieve the objective and aim the unit was established.
Also, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Mrs Uju Nwogu, duly represented by Mrs Ndirika Onyekwelu, lauded the support of ROLAC programs in the state and acknowledged that the Unit will help them in the area of prosecution as the victims will open up with useful informations on their assault to officers in charge without being ashamed.
In her opening remarks, the State Program Coordinator of ROLAC, Mrs Josephine Onah said the Unit was established in the police Station so as to attend to children with sexual abuses, support people that experience gender base sexual violence and look into the issues of juvenile that are in conflict with the law calling on all to join them in the fight against sexual abuse.
While expressing their happiness for the establishment of the Unit in Ihiala, the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Thomas Obidiegwu represented by Ichie Emma Ihenatuoha, condemned the actions of some men who indulge in rape and juvenile practices stating that they will embark on advocacy visit and sensitization program for people to be aware of the consequences that will befall anyone who practice such act.
