Professional Analysis of Gender-Based Violence Response Systems in Enugu State

Effective multi-sectoral response systems for gender-based violence require coordinated action across health, legal, social welfare, and law enforcement institutions, yet the operational quality of such systems in South East Nigerian states warrants rigorous professional review. This study professionally analyzes the gender-based violence response system in Enugu State, examining institutional roles, coordination mechanisms, and survivor experience outcomes. A professional systems assessment methodology was employed, combining document review of Enugu State GBV response protocols, structured interviews with thirty-one response system actors across police, hospitals, social welfare, and legal aid, and in-depth interviews with eighteen GBV survivors who had accessed formal response services. The Coordinated Community Response framework provided the analytical structure. Results indicate that the one-stop-centre model, operational at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, was the most effective response point, but its coverage was geographically restricted to Enugu city. Police response was rated poorly by 72% of survivor interviewees, with secondary victimization experiences including blame and disclosure privacy breaches frequently reported. Prosecution completion rates for domestic violence cases filed with police were 17%, reflecting attrition through inadequate evidence management and survivor withdrawal under family pressure. Legal aid accessibility outside Enugu city was virtually absent. Recommendations include extension of the one-stop centre model to at least two additional senatorial zones, mandatory GBV response training for all Enugu State Police Command officers, establishment of survivor-centred evidence collection protocols, and free legal aid provision throughout the state. Keywords: gender-based violence, response system, Enugu State, survivor services, coordinated response.