The Mirabel Centre Has the Duchess of Cornwall as its First Patron
The Mirabel Centre is happy to announce Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall as the Centre’s first patron.
Founded in July 2013 by Itoro Eze-Anaba, the Mirabel Centre is Nigeria’s first Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), providing succour and a safe place to survivors of rape and sexual assault. Survivors who have recently or in the past been sexually assaulted can access free post-incident support services at the Centre. In the last eight years, the Centre has provided free medical and psychosocial support services to over 6,450 survivors (including persons with disabilities).
For several years, The Duchess of Cornwall has highlighted the work of domestic abuse and sexual assault charities in the UK and overseas in supporting victims and survivors, to break the taboo around the subject.
According to a statement from the Press & Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Ndidiamaka Eze, The Duchess’ charity work varies across several themes including health, literacy, supporting those in need; victims of rape and sexual abuse and domestic violence.
“Her Royal Highness has visited sheltered and supported centres around the world and in 2020, became Patron of the UK domestic abuse charity, SafeLives.
“Her Royal Highness has attended round table discussions on domestic abuse in Australia in 2015, in New Zealand in 2019, and as part of the Women’s Forum at CHOGM in London in 2018.
“The Duchess visited Nigeria together with The Prince of Wales in 2018 when her engagements included joining a discussion hosted by the Women of the World Festival (WOW) saying, “Women get together to discuss things that matter to them so I think especially here in Nigeria it is a fantastic place to start.”
Here’s what the Duchess of Cornwall has to say:
“I am delighted to become Patron of the Mirabel Centre in Lagos. It is a truly trailblazing organisation, supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault as they seek healing and justice. Their vital work means that women need no longer suffer in silence and I am deeply grateful to all Mirabel’s wonderful staff and volunteers.”
In a statement, Founder of Mirabel Centre Itoro Eze- Anaba, said,
“It is an honour to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cornwall as our first Patron. We are pleased that the Duchess has agreed to be our patron. We have followed her work with charities working in the sexual and gender-based violence space and have seen how passionate and committed The Duchess is towards providing support for survivors.”
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The Mirabel Centre is the first of its kind to provide holistic and high quality psychosocial and medical services to these survivors in Nigeria, and this patronage will no doubt help to ensure safe and continued support to sexual assault survivors, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. This will also complement the UK Government’s other partnerships in Nigeria to tackle SGBV.
The Centre is located in a modest two-room building within the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in the heart of the city, and currently expanding to serve more survivors of sexual violence.
Visit mirabelcentre.org to learn more about this amazing initiative.