Sadiya was 12 years old when she was raped by a man in her densely populated neighbourhood in Abuja; he bought Kunu from her and asked that she follow him to take the money; when she got to the house, he dragged her inside and raped her. 

Sadiya informed her family, but they were very poor; however, Sadiya knew not to take her bath after the rape had occurred because she had participated in a community outreach organised by an NGO where she was informed that the perpetrator would be brought to book if she did not take a bath. 

Sadiya and her mother reported to the Police, but nothing was done about her case because they did not have money for the medical examination. Sadiya did not have a bath for 14 days, as she frequently visited the Police station in search of justice until I met her.  

Sadiya was referred to my organisation Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, by a police officer familiar with our work supporting survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Abuja and Its environs.

When I met Sadiya, she had a powerful stench that I could not handle, but I took her to the hospital for medical examinations and promised her that my organisation would offset the cost. When the doctors saw her, they did not think any specimen collected from her could be used to investigate the Rape effectively. 

While in the hospital, my colleague visited a store and purchased a change of clothes, which Sadiya used when she bathed in the hospital's bathroom, and hopes of access to justice - were dashed and Sadiya is 1 in 3 girls who have been a victim of SGBV before they turn 18. 

As an SGBV first responder, every day, I listen to stories of women and girls who have survived SGBV; as I walk with them to access justice, I have seen the cost of justice and the lifelong impact it can have on lives. 

Many victims who suffer violence cannot afford money for medical bills in the general hospitals to undergo medical examinations, which have an average range of 15,000 Naira per case to 500,000 Naira depending on how bad the harm is and this directly affects access to justice as victims often lose litigation battles due to lack of evidence especially medical reports in courts or more devastating effects leading to death.

Ensuring free, confidential and comprehensive medical care for victims in General Hospitals in Abuja and the Provision of free medical reports will help more victims access needed care after exposure to trauma from SGBV and aid access to justice. 

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is an emergency and should be treated as such; the effects of victims' inability to access timely medical care can lead to pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and infections, mental health breakdown and/or death.

The road to justice is long for victims like Sadiya; access to free and confidential medicals can improve it. 

Please sign this petition to support Sadiya and other victims who have become part of the One in Four girls who will experience sexual and gender-based violence before they reach 18 in Nigeria, according to a UNICEF report.

Disclaimer: "Names were changed to protect the survivor's identity".