Devatop Hosts Survivor’s Empowerment and Learning Forum to Strengthen Healing, Resilience, and Advocacy
On 21st October 2025, Devatop Centre for Africa Development hosted a Survivors’ Empowerment and Learning Forum at Legend Hall, Brookville Hotel, Lokogoma, Abuja. The forum welcomed 24 survivors, 15 females and 9 males into a safe and nurturing environment designed to reflect on their healing journeys, celebrate progress, and explore ways to move forward with hope, purpose, and resilience. This important initiative was made possible through the generous support of the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund, hosted and managed by Panorama Global, demonstrating the impact of collective efforts in prioritizing survivor-centered healing and empowerment.
The forum formed part of Devatop’s ongoing commitment to promoting dignity, rehabilitation, and empowerment for survivors of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and online exploitation. It provided a space for psychosocial support, storytelling, group therapy, leadership engagement, and creative expression. By creating a community of champions who share their experiences, the event encouraged participants to address trauma, strengthen confidence, foster belonging, and amplify their voices in advocating for therapeutic approaches that value humanity over profit. Beyond personal healing, the forum also served as a platform for gathering insights and recommendations from participants and stakeholders. Experience-sharing sessions, one-on-one mentorship, and post-event interviews helped generate practical strategies to inform policy advocacy and survivor-centered interventions. Government representatives, NGOs, counseling experts, and human rights advocates joined the discussions, while interactive sessions, art expression, and question-and-answer segments allowed participants to co-create actionable solutions for healing and reintegration.
A key highlight was the group counseling session led by Dr. Imabong Sanusi, a certified therapist and professional counsellor with the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF). Speaking on “Finding Purpose After Pain,” Dr. Imabong likened trauma to fingerprints unique to each person and described it as an open wound that requires intentional care to heal. Through interactive discussions, survivors explored a range of trauma triggers including rejection, loss, discrimination, grief, low self-esteem, heartbreak, and anger management struggles. Dr. Imabong emphasized self-examination as a powerful tool for healing and suggested practical approaches such as exercise, writing, music, creative expression, and seeking guidance from trusted professionals.
The motivational session delivered by NACTAL representative Achebe Chinemerem Frances inspired participants to remain committed to personal growth, integrity, and positive community impact. Survivors were encouraged to embrace their resilience, stay true to themselves, and recognize the power of their experiences in shaping a better world.
Feedback from participants showed that the forum successfully fostered self-awareness, strengthened peer support networks, and offered practical strategies for healing. Survivors expressed gratitude for the safe spaces created, describing the event as therapeutic and enlightening. Many noted that it helped them confront long-buried trauma, understand its triggers, and gain the confidence to advocate for themselves and others. At the same time, participants highlighted the need for more accessible pro-bono therapy services, emphasizing that healing should prioritize humanity over profit. They shared that broader access to compassionate therapeutic support would help survivors harness their potential, contribute to society, and build a fairer, more just world. The Survivors’ Empowerment and Learning Forum ended with renewed hope, strengthened peer connections, and a shared commitment to healing, advocacy, and community action.
