Access Bank, HACEY, others join forces against sexual violence

Hacey Health Initiative, in partnership with Access Bank Plc, the Stars Foundation Girl Award and Empower, on Wednesday, September 6, 2017 launched a new platform called ‘Salvus’. This is an innovative and sustainable program developed to tackle the increasing menace of sexual violence in the society.

‘Salvus’ is a web-based platform developed to facilitate safe and confidential reporting of sexual violence incidents and provide access to available comprehensive support service and relevant information. The ‘Salvus’ platform hosts a database of sexual violence support service providers that victims can connect to and receive the support they need.

During a symposium which held at the Access Bank Head Office, themed ‘Building Conversations around Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence,’ Director of Gender Development Program at HACEY, Rhoda Rhobinson, said the platform was designed to support community dialogue and social services, whilst ensuring the acceptance and full integration of victims and survivors.

According to Rhobinson, ‘Salvus’ would enable victims and survivors of sexual violence get access to medical and psychological help. “We have worked with different civil society and government agencies to ensure that this solution does not just combat sexual violence today, but remains sustainable to ensure this is not just a one-time solution. Salvus is a dream come true,” she stated.

Other panel discussants at the symposium include Olubukola Salami, Director, Office of Public Defender, Lagos State, Itoro Anaba, Executive Director, Mirabel Center, Ada Agina-Ude, Executive Director, Gender and Development Agenda and  Paul Ojajuni of the Hacey Health Initiative.

In 2016, Access Bank, through its employee volunteering scheme partnered with the Domestic & Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), to organise various activities aimed at creating awareness on domestic and sexual violence. Some of the highlights include school sensitization programs across 3 educational districts in Lagos State as well as a stakeholders’ forum titled “It’s on You and I to end Violence against Women and Children”. This is in line with the Bank’s commitment to drive Women empowerment and Gender equality across the country.