UGEP (Yakurr LGA)– Stakeholders at a community training in Ijiman, Ugep, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River state have identified alcohol, tramadol, cannabis and other substances as major drivers of domestic violence and gender-based violence (GBV) in communities NEGROIDHAVEN can say.
The one-day training, held on Tuesday under the project “Strengthening Advocacy Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Ugep, Yakurr LGA,” was organised by the Cross River state chapter of Partners for Peace (P4P)’s Prevent Team, and targeted young men in age grades, community leaders and community vanguards.
Speaking during his presentation, Ukorebi Esien a conflict management expert said substance abuse remains one of the strongest triggers of violence in homes and communities, noting that intoxication often leads to loss of self-control, aggression and sexual violence.
“Alcohol, tramadol, cannabis, codeine and other hard drugs weaken judgment and increase aggression. Many cases of domestic violence and sexual assault happen under intoxication, but drug use is not an excuse under the Cross River State VAPP Law,” Esien stated.
He explained that perpetrators of drug-induced GBV face arrest, prosecution and severe penalties, including imprisonment, stressing that community members who conceal or aid such crimes may also be held liable.
Also presenting at the training, Dr. Efio-Ita Nyok a chartered mediator and counciliator linked substance abuse to harmful masculine norms, saying drug use often reinforces violence, dominance and abuse of women and girls.
“Positive masculinity is about self-control, responsibility and respect. Drugs destroy healthy manhood and fuel domestic violence, sexual abuse and neglect of family responsibilities,” Nyok said.
He added that men who embrace positive masculinity reject violence, respect consent and serve as role models within age-grade and community structures, while women play a critical role in shaping values that discourage abuse and substance misuse.
Both facilitators emphasised that committing GBV under the influence of drugs or alcohol does not absolve offenders of responsibility, as the Cross River State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law criminalises domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, emotional and economic abuse.
Participants were urged to reject substance abuse, support survivors, report incidents early and work with community vanguards to prevent GBV, as part of broader efforts to build safer and more peaceful communities in Yakurr.
The two-month advocacy project aims to strengthen community action against gender-based violence through sensitisation, dialogue, media engagement and the establishment of community vanguards for reporting and response.
