The National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centres in the country.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State stated this while briefing journalists after a virtual of the council on Thursday in Abuja.
The virtual NEC meeting was presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Mr Sule said the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouk, made a presentation to the council on establishment and management of Sexual Assault Referral Centres.
“This has to do clearly with some of the challenges we are having in the country today, when it comes to rape and the effect of rape on our own children.
“The presentation was actually to inform NEC on how sexual assault can have a devastating impact on every aspect of the survivors.
“There can also be long-term psychological and physical impact as was presented by the minister.
“They include depression, anxiety, and the inability of these kinds of people to sleep. So, the council has taken the matter very seriously and it is addressing and is looking at the establishment of these centres.
“And there have been a lot of encouragement on the part of various governors to ensure they also assist the minister in setting up this.’’