NAPTIP reveals 58% of SGBV survivors silent as Nigeria launches Media Corps to fix reporting
NATPTIP disclosed that 58 percent of sexual and gender-based violence survivors in Nigeria do not seek help or report their experiences, while 21 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have faced physical or sexual violence. The figures emerged during a two-day SGBV Media Corps Workshop in Abuja, supported by the European Union and International IDEA, which also launched an initiative to train journalists in ethical, survivor-centered reporting across the FCT, Benue, Kaduna and Oyo states.
This silence epidemic reveals a critical gap between violence prevalence and access to support, undermining prevention efforts despite 34 states having domesticated the VAPP Act. NAPTIP's head of Press noted the agency rescued over 3,000 people from critical situations since January 2026 and secured 20+ convictions, including three life sentences, proving intervention works when cases surface. The workshop addressed technology-facilitated abuse as an emerging challenge requiring coordinated response.
The SGBV Media Corps aims to shift coverage from sensationalism to evidence-based reporting that protects survivor dignity and builds public trust in institutions. By strengthening referral pathways and challenging harmful social norms, the initiative seeks to create an environment where more survivors feel safe seeking help through NAPTIP's systems. Will better media coverage finally break the silence on SGBV in Nigeria?