The Center for Gender Studies, Kaduna State University (KASU), on 30th September 2025, held a special training for counselors on survivor-centered counseling, counseling tools, and referral pathways as part of efforts to tackle gender-based violence on campus.
The program opened with a welcome by Mrs. Bilkisu Yusuf, Coordinator of the KASU Innovation Hub and facilitator of the training, who introduced the objectives and encouraged participants to actively engage.
In her remarks, the Director of the Center, Dr. Deborah J. Bijimi, stressed that the training was necessary given the rising cases of sexual harassment, assault, and gender-based exploitation in universities across Nigeria. She said the center was determined to confront issues such as “sex-for-grades” and other forms of abuse.
“We no longer call them victims because that word carries shame. They are survivors. As counselors, you must create a safe space where traumatized students can speak without fear of stigma or judgment,” Dr. Bijimi told participants.
The highlight of the training was a presentation by Mrs. Yusuf, who introduced practical tools for counselors, including:
The Tree of Life, a worksheet that uses the image of a tree to help people reflect on their background, present life, goals, challenges, and achievements.
Safety Plan, a crisis management guide that helps individuals identify triggers, coping strategies, and safe contacts during difficult times.
Trauma Iceberg, a tool that illustrates how visible reactions such as anger or withdrawal often mask deeper struggles like guilt, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
Participants shared ideas and experiences during the interactive session, pointing out challenges on campus and suggesting solutions to help survivors of abuse.
Closing the program, Dr. Bijimi thanked the counselors for their contributions and urged them to put the knowledge gained into practice to make KASU a safer environment for students.