Several sources of help for persons in domestic violence situations are provided below. These sources are updated as often as possible.
Helplines: For information or help in domestic abuse situations
Call the lines below:
Federal Government of Nigeria Toll Free Number for Violation of Girls and Women – 080072732255
CHELD Domestic Violence Helplines – 0810 757 2829; 0813 164 3208
Project Alert – 234-1-8209387; 08052004698; 08180091072
Police: The Police in Nigeria are one of the avenues of receiving help in issues of domestic violence. They are often more effective when the harm done is of a grievous nature, including in situations of murder and assault which results in hospitalisations. However, there are many limitations. Although several organisations in Nigeria are working to improve the sensitivity of the police to domestic violence issues, and the need to enforce relevant laws, much remains to be done in this respect. There is often a tendency to label domestic violence issues a “family affair” with victims encouraged to resolve things within the family. Corruption also remains a major problem. It is important to bear these issues in mind as one proceeds to determine how to deal with a domestic violence situation.
Counselling Services and Support: Many organisations listed in the Organisations page offer counselling as part of their services, formally and informally.
WelfareCentres: These centres typically work to provide support to victims of different kinds of abuse, including domestic abuse. Some of their work includes assisting women to receive support from their spouses for the upkeep of children where a separation has occurred. Corruption can be an issue here also. Stories have been related by women who had their children taken away by welfare centres on less than reasonable grounds. In most of those cases, suspicions existed of a corrupted process.
Legal Support: Please see our Legal Support page for organisations focused on providing legal assistance.
Organisations
Below, you will find a list of organisations that provide information, help, and assistance in cases of domestic abuse and violence. Several government and non-governmental organisations are working to ensure justice for victims and survivors through the provision of legal assistance, educating judicial and law enforcement, creating more widespread awareness creation of the problems and impacts of domestic violence, counselling for the survivors, counselling for the children of victims and survivors, material support for survivors, establishment of shelters and the establishment of anger management programmes.Information about such organisations and links to their websites where available are provided below. Such organisations are listed below. Although they may provide some help, faith-based organisations are not included here.
Various Women Affairs Ministries at the State and Federal levels
Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development
Project Alert on Violence against Women
WRAPA
WACOL
BAOBAB on Human Rights – Tel: 234 1 4747931, 01-8980834, Tel/Fax: 234 1 4962302, Mobile: 234 (0) 802 333 0981 Emails:baobab@baobabwomen.org; baobabwomen@yahoo.com
Source: domesticviolence.com.ng/