Challenges Faced by Police Personnel in Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Cross River State Police Command, Nigeria

Gender-based violence is violence directed against an individual based on sex or gender, which is the most common human rights violation, frequently occurring across all nations of the world, without social or economic boundaries. This research examined the challenges encountered by police personnel in Cross River State in effectively responding to gender-based violence (GBV). Utilizing data from a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 188 personnel across family/gender, legal/prosecution, and medical units, the study identified key structural and operational barriers. The most prevalent challenge was inadequate funding (55.2%), followed by lack of private space for survivors (38.7%), and insufficient training and deployment of specialized personnel (47%). These constraints were reported to significantly hinder the timely and sensitive handling of GBV cases. Despite some personnel ensuring case filing (43.6%) and convictions (43.1%), the overall response was undermined by systemic inefficiencies. The study emphasizes the urgent need for resource allocation, private interview spaces, and continuous capacity building within the police force to improve institutional responsiveness and survivor-centered care in GBV interventions.