Safeguarding, Safety and Support
You deserve to be safe, heard and supported
At Samuel Ioron Foundation (SIF), we believe that every person has the right to safety, dignity, privacy and respectful support.
On this page you can find urgent help, report a concern, download our Healing and Safety Toolkit and reach support services across Nigeria.
Need help now?
Choose the option that feels safest for you.
Nigeria’s national toll-free emergency number, available 24 hours a day.
Our promise to you
How we will support you
Abuse is never your fault. You can ask for help whether the harm happened recently or a long time ago.
No proof needed
You do not need to have proof, tell your whole story at once, or decide immediately whether you want to make a formal report.
We listen without judging
We will listen without judging or blaming you. We will explain the support and reporting options available so that you can make an informed decision.
No pressure
We will not pressure you to report to the police, speak publicly, participate in an interview, or allow your name, photograph or story to be shared.
Go at your own pace
You may pause, take a break, decline a question, change your mind or withdraw your consent at any time. Saying “no” will not prevent you from receiving support.
Your information is protected
We will protect your information and share only what is necessary and agreed with you.
If someone is in danger
If a child or another person is in immediate danger, SIF may need to take protective action. Wherever it is safe and possible, we will explain what must happen, involve you in the decision and share only the minimum information required.
Emergency
If you are in immediate danger
Move to a safer place if you can do so without placing yourself at greater risk.
Call Nigeria’s emergency number: 112
The Nigerian Communications Commission identifies 112 as the national toll-free emergency number, available 24 hours a day. Availability and response may still vary by location. If the call does not connect, contact the nearest police station, hospital, trusted protection service or one of the organisations below.
Report a concern
Contact SIF and WhistleSafe Nigeria
You can contact SIF if you have experienced or witnessed sexual violence, exploitation, abuse, harassment or another safeguarding concern through our WhistleSafe reporting helpline.
SIF is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 112 or seek urgent assistance from a hospital, police station or protection service.
Staying safe on your phone and online
If someone monitors your telephone or internet use, contact support from a safer device where possible. Delete call, message or browser records only if doing so will not create further risk.
Free download
Healing and Safety Toolkit
Practical guidance for survivors, peer champions, staff, partners and storytellers in WhistleSafe Nigeria.
Your safety matters. Your story belongs to you. Support does not depend on disclosure.
What’s inside
- Our approach to healing and safety
- Understanding trauma without labelling people
- Grounding and stabilisation
- Boundaries, choice and consent
- Sharing and receiving disclosures
- Personal and practical safety planning
- Public storytelling, media and documentaries
- Children and adolescents
- Safe meetings, research and community engagement
- Support for staff, peer champions and partners
- Practical tools and templates
- Sources and further reading
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Support services across Nigeria
Find the right support for you
Organisations you can contact, grouped by the kind of help you need. On a phone, tap a number to call it.
Human trafficking, exploitation and violence
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
Contact NAPTIP to report suspected human trafficking, child trafficking, sexual exploitation or other violence against persons.
NAPTIP is a federal agency and receives reports from across Nigeria.
Support for children
Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre
Cece Yara provides confidential support concerning child sexual abuse. Its telephone services are accessible across Nigeria. Emergency physical intervention is available in Lagos and Abuja, with referrals provided in other states.
Children, parents, caregivers and other concerned people may contact the service to report known or suspected abuse, receive emotional support and identify protection or referral options.
Sexual violence, rape and abuse
Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF)
WARIF’s confidential helpline supports girls and women experiencing rape, sexual violence, trafficking or other abuse.
The helpline provides access to trained counsellors and information about available assistance.
Sexual violence, rape and abuse
Mirabel Centre
Mirabel Centre provides free medical and psychosocial support to women, men and children who have experienced rape or sexual assault. Its physical centre is in Lagos, but counsellors provide telephone counselling and can refer people to organisations in other states.
- Helpline: 0815 577 0000
- Helpline: 0818 724 3468
- Helpline: 0701 349 1769
- WhatsApp: 0818 724 3468
- Email: sarc@pjnigeria.org
- Location: Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos
- Website: www.mirabelcentre.org
Office hours published by the Centre are Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Sexual violence, rape and abuse
Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs)
Sexual Assault Referral Centres, commonly called SARCs, can provide medical attention, forensic services and psychosocial support following rape or sexual assault. A directory of centres in different Nigerian states is available below.
Please telephone a centre before travelling because contact details, opening hours and services can change.
Legal assistance for women and children
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria)
FIDA provides legal assistance, mediation and counselling for women and children. It has branches in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
FIDA provides free legal representation to women and children who cannot afford legal services, subject to its eligibility and case-assessment processes.
Human-rights complaints
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Contact the NHRC to report human-rights violations, including violations affecting women, children, displaced people and other vulnerable persons.
The NHRC has offices and complaint mechanisms serving people across Nigeria.
Emotional support
Mental health and emotional support
Experiencing abuse can leave you frightened, overwhelmed, angry, numb, confused or unable to sleep. These are understandable responses to difficult experiences. You do not have to manage them alone.
Confidential counselling
She Writes Woman
She Writes Woman provides confidential mental-health support and telephone counselling to people throughout Nigeria.
- Toll-free mental-health helpline: 0800 800 2000
- Availability: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Email: hello@shewriteswoman.org
- Website: www.shewriteswoman.org
The organisation states that the helpline is accessible from anywhere in Nigeria and can connect callers with trained counsellors and further teletherapy support.
Suicide prevention
Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN)
Contact SURPIN if you are having thoughts of suicide, are concerned that someone may harm themselves, or need urgent suicide-prevention support.
If there is an immediate risk to life, also call 112, go to the nearest hospital, or remain with the person while obtaining emergency help. Do not leave a person at immediate risk alone if it is safe for you to stay.
Know your options
When contacting a support service
You may need to contact more than one service before finding the right assistance. A delayed response or unavailable line does not mean that your experience is unimportant.
If one number does not connect, try another service or visit a trusted health facility.
You can:
- Ask what services are available before sharing personal information.
- Use a different name initially if you are not ready to identify yourself.
- Ask how your information will be recorded, protected and shared.
- Request a woman or man support worker where available.
- Ask for an interpreter or accessibility support.
- Bring a trusted person to an appointment.
- Decline a question or ask for a break.
- Decide whether you want to participate in an interview, photograph, video or documentary.
- Withdraw permission to use your story, name, voice or image before publication.
- Ask for a referral if the organisation cannot provide the support you need.
You do not have to manage this alone
Reach out when you feel ready. You can report a concern to SIF, download the Healing and Safety Toolkit, or contact one of the services on this page.
Important notice
SIF provides this information to help people locate support. Listing an organisation does not mean that SIF controls or guarantees its services. Telephone numbers, hours and service coverage can change.
If you represent one of these services and any information has changed, please contact info@samuelioronfoundation.org.