Five Takeaways From ICRC Training Of Journalists In Maiduguri On Sexual Violence

International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, has trained journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital on sexual voilence.

The one day training took place on Thursdays at the organization’s head office in Maiduguri, with about 20 participants drawn from different local, national and international news outlets serving in the city.

Among other things, the training is aimed at educating journalist on the concept of sexual violence and international best practices on reporting it.

Below are the five major takeaways from the training.

Introduction to ICRC, it’s objectives and why it matters

The first presenter at the training, Yuxia Jiang, communication delegate, ICRC highlighted the objectives of the training and interacted with the participants on their expectations from the program.

Similarly, Umar Sadiq, communication field officer, ICRC Maiduguri led a session on their organization’s missions, mandate and fundamental principles.

Mr. Sadiq said that ICRC work is aimed at providing emergency and sustainable livelihood to survivors of conflict.

Backed by several laws as well as International Humanitarian Laws and International Human Rights laws, he said that their organization does not encourage, assist or help any party in a conflict but are only concerned with victims or survivors of armed war or conflict.

Among other things, he said that ICRC does not intrude or takeover people’s work but helps to compliment and intervene on emergency situations.

On that note, he said that ICRC has stopped food distribution about five years ago in Borno State.

On their operations in Borno State, he highlighted several key interventions on health, water supply and ensuring the safety of victims of conflict in line with national and international laws.

Hussein Khalili, protection delegate, ICRC, also highlighted major concerns of ICRC during armed conflicts.

He said that one of the major objectives of ICRC is the protection of civilian population during conflict, protection of detainees in detention facilities and restoring family links between detainees and their families as well as others separate during conflicts.

Sexual voilence and myth surrounding it

Rebecca Sulei Bello, sexual violence specialist, ICRC, led the participants in a session on sexual violence, the myth surrounding it and brief ICRC’s work on sexual violence in armed conflicts.

Defining sexual violence, she said that it can be any sexual act by force, threat of force or coercion inflicted on and by any gender, age, group or class of people.

Not limited to rape, Rebecca explained that sexual violence can be both physical and non-physical, adding that it can also be done with objects.

Highlighted further, she listed enforced prostitution, survival sex (for food, security, shelter, others) sex by threat or intimation, forced nudity–when one is forced to witness sexual act, as well as other gender based violence.

Rebecca explained that while ICRC use international humanitarian laws and international human right laws to recognize and pronounce act of sexual violence, it also recognizes and identify with other national and local laws of a people.

She said that laws like Sharia law in Nigeria which permits certain practices contrary to laws in other countries and cultures is recognized and respected by ICRC when dealing with sexual violence activities.

In trying to address the act of sexual violence, ICRC, she said uses several preventive, risk reduction and response measures in communities.

On the myth surrounding sexual violence, she said that all genders and age group can be victims as well as perpetrators of the act.

Survivors of sexual violence, consequences and needs

On the consequences of sexual violence, the presenter, Rebecca said it can be physical, psychological, social, economical and legal on the survivors, adding that it’s impacts can also affects individuals, families and communities.

Sexual violence survivors are usually subjected to many challenges that needs immediate and long term interventions.

Highlighting some of these needs, the sexual violence expert said that survivors need immediate medical attention and should not exceed 72 hours after the incident.

She mentioned other necessary needs like justice or legal services, economic, social and psychological support, as well as safety or shelter if need be.

Group Discussion; interactive session with participants on reporting sexual violence

The participants were engaged in an interactive session on their experiences in reporting sexual violence related stories.

Abubakar Haruna Muhammad, head of newsroom, Yerwa Express News, also one of the participants, narrated his challenges in working on a story about the sexual abuse of two minors by a teenager.

Also, another participant, Isma’il Alfa Abdulrahim, New York times reporter, recalled a sexual violence incident that took him almost a year to complete and report it.

Alfa noted some of his challenges that includes non-cooperation by the survivor due to social and security pressures and threats.

Following the interactive discussion, a brief remarks on ethical consideration for media reporting on cases of sexual violence was delivered by Yuxia and Rebecca.

Reporting SV stories; ethics, principles and other dos and don’ts

During the training, a presentation was delivered to the participants on key ethical principles on communicating sexual violence related stories.

The presenter highlighted principles for before, during and after an interview with the survivors.

Confidentiality, Rebecca said is an important principles on reporting sexual violence, noting that survivors identity most be respectful and protected.

She explained that adequate attention, empathy, clearly defined consent, privacy and proper use of language should be prioritize on survivors before and during interviews.

Explaining further, she said gender, age or racial discrimination, blaming phrases, interrogation and physical touches most be avoided by the interviewer, adding that neutrality is key in writing sexual violence report.

Similarly, a journalist should assist survivors with important informations like referral to medical, psychological, legal, security and other support and service providers needed by the survivors.

While reporting sexual violence, journalist are expected to underline the objectives of their stories.

According to ICRC, stories should reflect advocacy, sensitization, protection and support campaigns for survivors.

During the presentation, Rebecca said stories of sexual violence should be ‘survival’ centered angle, to encourage resilience among survivors.

In line with that, she added that words like ‘survivors’ should be used rather than ‘victims’.

Other alternative words includes, ‘violation’ and ‘sexual violence’ rather than ‘abuse’ and ‘rape.’

Some tips on producing sexual violence contents and protecting sources are also discussed at the training.

At the end of the training, some participants thanked ICRC on the training.

Comrade Dauda Iliya, chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist, NUJ, Borno State chapter said that the training is important due to the raising cases of sexual violence in Borno State.

This, he said is due to the Boko-Haram terrorists’ activities that wrecked the state for over a decade.

While suggesting a further training and interactive sessions with ICRC resource persons on sexual violence, the NUJ chairman added that the training has equipped the participants with adequate knowledge and skills to report cases of sexual violence and other GBVs.

Other participants in an interview noted that there are many unreported cases of sexual violence in the state.