NAPTIP Raises Alarm Over Rising Cases of Male Victims in SGBV

NAPTIP Raises Alarm Over Rising Cases of Male Victims in SGBV

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has sounded the alarm on an emerging trend of increasing male victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

This revelation came during a workshop organized in collaboration with the FORD Foundation, where NAPTIP Director General, Fatima Waziri-Aza, shared concerning insights.

Addressing the audience, Waziri-Aza underscored the severity of the issue, stating, “Even though we know that most of these SGBV issues affect women more, but for the fact that men are reporting and are speaking up. It shows us that attitudes that used to be seen as normal in the past, attitudes that used to be tolerated, is no longer tolerated.”

Waziri-Aza revealed that the reported cases involving men included instances of physical violence, separation of fathers from their children, and eviction from shared homes. This marks a departure from historical patterns, with 15 complaints registered in 2023 alone.

“I know that for this year, we have received about 15 complaints from men. These complaints border on physical violence from their partner. It also bothers on women isolating fathers from their children and pushing their husbands out of their shared home,” she emphasized.

Acknowledging the shifting dynamics, she reassured male victims that existing laws protect them. “This was something that never happened before. In the past, I think men are taught to be strong and internalize issues, but it is gratifying to see that men are speaking up. So this shows that men and boys also go through these issues. The laws are also there to protect them.”

The workshop, a collaborative effort among stakeholders, aimed to enhance cooperation and understanding of various roles and responsibilities in combating SGBV. Participants discussed strategies and intensified advocacy efforts to prevent and address the issue.

Waziri-Aza, reflecting on the progress made, stated, “For us at NAPTIP, last year alone, we received about 2,400 cases of SGBV in the Federal Capital Territory, and with figures from January to October, we are closely pushing to the level that we saw last year. But one thing I can say for sure, most times when I hear people talking about concerns talking about issues of SGBV. We keep talking about this culture of silence, but I can categorically state that the culture of silence is progressively decreasing, and I say that because we see it in the increase in reportage that we receive as an agency.“

NAPTIP Raises Alarm Over Rising Cases of Male Victims in SGBV