Gender, Sociocultural Barriers and Access to Psychosocial Counselling Among Adult Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Northeast Nigeria

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant social and public health concern, with consequences for survivors' psychological well-being, social relationships, safety, and participation in community life. Although psychosocial counselling can support recovery, access to such services may be affected by gender expectations, family relationships, religious beliefs, stigma, financial circumstances, and displacement. Objective: This study examined awareness of, access to, and sociocultural barriers affecting psychosocial counselling among adult survivors of gender-based violence in Northeast Nigeria. Methods: The study used a descriptive quantitative approach based on questionnaire responses from 200 respondents across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarise respondents' sociodemographic characteristics, counselling awareness and access, and perceptions of sociocultural influences. The findings presented are based on the aggregate questionnaire figures supplied for analysis. Details concerning sampling, data collection dates, instrument validation, and ethical approval must be completed from the original study records. Results: Women accounted for 155 respondents (77.5%), men 40 (20.0%), and respondents who preferred not to disclose their gender five (2.5%). Half of the respondents were aged 25–34 years (50.0%), while 60.0% reported unemployment. Eighty respondents (40.0%) reported awareness of psychosocial counselling, whereas 100 (50.0%) reported no awareness. Although 129 respondents (64.5%) indicated that they had wanted or considered counselling, 122 (61.0%) reported that services were not easy to reach. Cultural expectations were identified as influential by 180 respondents (90.0%), religious beliefs by 190 (95.0%), gender-related considerations by 180 (90.0%), displacement history by 165 (82.5%), and community setting by 175 (87.5%). Family support was reported as encouraging counselling by 180 respondents (90.0%). Conclusion: The questionnaire findings indicate substantial perceived sociocultural influences on counselling decisions alongside limited awareness and reported difficulties reaching services. Improving accessible information, confidentiality, culturally responsive counselling, family and community engagement, and service provision for displaced populations may help reduce barriers to psychosocial support.