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Tag: Sexual violence

  • Women lawyers to fight sexual violence

    Women lawyers in Bayelsa State, under the auspices of the International Federation of the Women Lawyers (FIDA), have pledged to fight domestic violence against women and children.

    The Yenegoa branch chairperson of FIDA, Dise Sheila, said this during a courtesy visit to the Managing Solicitor of TRIAX Solicitors, Moses Oruaze Dickson, who is the founder, Goldcoast Developmental Foundation, a non-profit organisation that supports low income women and children.

    The visit was to discuss a possible partnership and legal support with TRIAX Solicitors and Goldcoast Developmental Foundation in curbing the menace of sexual molestation of children, especially the girl-child in the Niger Delta region.

    Sheila said although there were laws to protect the rights and well-being of women and children from all forms of violence and abuse, many of the affected persons are not aware of their rights or do not have the resources to enforce them.

    The few, who know their rights, she said, are scared of stigmatisation and threats from the perpetrators.

    “It is for this reason that we seek partnership with a law firm with a track record for fighting for the vulnerable, especially women and children,” she said.

    Dickson expressed concern with the increasing cases of abuse against the female child and how the culture of silence was emboldening perpetrators.

    “It is even sad when the victims are from impoverished homes and cannot afford the legal fees to fight their assaulters.

    “We will do everything within our capacity to provide legal assistance to these victims,” he said.

    Dickson said Goldcoast Developmental Foundation will serve as a mediator in championing the project by working with the police to speed up investigation.

    The foundation, he said, will partner certified hospitals to speed up medical examinations of victims/survivors.

    Dickson added that they will prevail on the Chief Judge to set up a system that will speed up trial of such cases.

    The foundation, he said, would start a fundraising initiative to get a rehabilitation home for survivors to live in and start a new life, especially for the girls.

    “We will also work with FIDA through our law firm to provide pro bono legal services for victims of sex assault,” he said.

    Dickson said the  society must stand up against perpetrators of sexual violence, urging women and children to speak out anytime they are under any form of violence and domestic abuse.

  • ‘Some Parents Make It Easier for Children to be Defiled’

    ‘Some Parents Make It Easier for Children to be Defiled’

    ‘Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi is the coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT). The team was set up in 2012 to respond to issues of rape, domestic violence and child abuse. In this encounter with HANNAH OJO, she speaks on factors fueling abuse of minors.

     

    Is your office engaging in activities geared towards sensitizing the boy child on sexual abuse?

    This year, we are bringing more attention to the issue because last year, we carried out a research and the result showed how 85 percent of those abused as minors grew up to abuse children later in life. The result of the research has influenced the way we engage children in our advocacy as we are now insisting that the focus should not be on girls alone but on boys as well.  No gender is immune to sexual violence. People used to think that it’s only girls that could be defiled but it’s not true. Boys can also be sexually abused as data has shown.   When you have data, it helps to strategize awareness and propose policies that are structured to the needs of the society.

    Your data shows there have been cases of sexual violence in places like Alimosho and Kosofo, is it right to say that these cases happen more in low income areas? 

    We aggregate our data to the 20 local governments in the state but there are some local governments that are densely populated like Alimosho and Kosofe, so it should not come as a surprise to see a lot of cases in those areas. It doesn’t mean that it’s only those areas that these vices are being committed. Perhaps it is also because of our awareness in those areas that these vices are being reported. After the awareness, we see an increase in reportage, but I wouldn’t say that it is only in low income areas because sexual and gender violence is not a respecter of class or creed, religion or gender. It can happen to anybody.

    Read Also: How neglect of the boy-child fuels child defilement

     Apart from the excuse of poverty and depression, what other factors are fueling sexual violence? 

    According to the data gathered from our research, the first factor is the abused abuser factor.  Another factor was that some people said they had poor performance with their peers –this is real data. Some said it was as a result of poor erectile dysfunction and they were tempted because the children obviously would not laugh at them. However, it is important to state that some people actually make it easier for children to be defiled. The idea of leaving children with neigbours is condemnable. Parents are not supposed to leave their precious jewels with any kind of person.  Perpetrators don’t just pounce on children, they groom them.  They gain their trust, get their confidence and it can start with something so basic but you will be amazed what that can do to a child over a period of time.  Some people will say why didn’t the child speak up? It’s because the child did not know better and that is the danger we have in sexual violence. Society most times often blame the victim, even when it is a child. These are the things perpetrators take advantage of and use to groom children.

    It is often said that many victims of sexual violence are often discouraged from pressing charges as a result of delayed justice? 

    The testimony of the child must be corroborated; that is why we ensure that the police conducts proper investigation and that is what has informed our engagement with the Nigerian Police Force in terms of training, empowering and equipping the force with relevant materials. That is one of the reasons why we have relevant support units across 11 divisions in the state. When it comes to legal issue, you cannot be emotional and sentimental, it is facts that can be proved and the evidence. That is why the police is critical because they are the first respondent. There are also the role medical officers play; if a survivor presents himself early, it is very likely that evidence can be preserved and that will help aid investigations.

    A DNA lab was launched in November, it is at Odulami Street in order to help victims of sexual violence to able to preserve evidence and ensure justice. In the DPP, we also have the Sexual Offence Unit dedicated to addressing these issues. At the High Court, we have the sexual offence and domestic violence court, so we expect that we start to see an increase in the number of cases that get to court as well as an increase in conviction. We will also start to see a reduction in the time it takes to prosecute these cases.

    Since you have been the coordinator, can you recall the most pathetic case you have handled?

    All cases are bad, especially when it involves children because they are vulnerable. Who is supposed to have prevented them? Who is supposed to have ensured that it did not happen? It is the adults. Those are the pathetic cases, especially when it is obvious that these cases could have been prevented if different safe-guarding measures were put in place. When an abuse happens to a child, it means that secondary care givers have failed in their responsibility.

     

     

  • How Lagos is tackling domestic, sexual violence

    How Lagos is tackling domestic, sexual violence

    Domestic and sexual violence are twin societal vices that have ravaged humanity since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, they have become increasingly more regular and widespread. The consequences, which include physical, psychological, social and health risk factors are quite devastating for both the victims and their loved ones. Available recent statistics show that -one  in three women and one  in four men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.

    One in three teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year. One in five women are survivors of rape. One in two women and one  in five men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives. One  in four women and one in six men were sexually abused before the age of 18.

    Global and national efforts have been made at different times to tackle this menace, with minimal, but encouraging result. With specific reference to Lagos State, the trail blazer in pursuit of excellence at different fronts, various policies and laws have been put in place to provide an enabling environment for the prevention and cure of domestic and sexual violence in the state.

    One of the most recent efforts was the establishment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in September 2014. The team’s goal is to increase victim safety and offender responsibility by providing a cross jurisdictional approach in the handling of rape, domestic violence and child abuse cases.

    In the past three years of its existence, the DSVRT, working in collaboration with the Lagos State government and relevant non-governmental organisations, has, through its activities, not only achieved an increased reporting of domestic and sexual violence cases, but has provided succour and redress to many victims and seen to an appreciable reduction in cases of domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State.

    In a bid to share its experiences and success stories, the DSVRT has published this resource tool, which qualifies as a best practice tool for other stakeholders and responder teams within and outside the Lagos jurisdiction. This is a commendable step. It is an indication of the selfless outlook of the DSVRT towards resolving the problem of domestic and sexual violence beyond the boundaries of Lagos State.

    Overcoming Sexual and Gender-Based Violence:The Lagos State Experience, Lagos State Experience, a 143-paged resource tool, unravels Lagos State’s approach to confronting domestic and sexual violence, the various challenges faced and the innovative, but practical solutions employed to tackle the issues from the root. It contains 11 chapters, written by experts in the relevant field.

    Understanding the ideology of sexual abuse and domestic violence in Africa is key to resolving the problem. Adults are generally ignorant of the great potentials of children; they merely take a mental notice of them without a corresponding actual notice. For example, domestic violence is rooted in the culture that promotes marriage based on marriageable age rather than maturity in character, self-leadership and self-discipline. By implication, it is the peoples’ cultural values that get married and not the couple.

    The culture of silence compounds the problem, resulting in a near total  neglect, especially of children and their well-being. The solution to both sexual abuse of children and domestic violence lies in change of peoples’ orientation. Consequently, any strategy for the successful implementation of ideas regarding domestic and sexual violence must take the culture factor into consideration. One needs to read TaiwoAkinlami’s thoughtful contribution in Chapter one to fully appreciate these problems and his suggested solutions.

    Of course, there is also a psychology of domestic and sexual violence; and there are plethora of theories – developmental, feminist and self-control. There are also theories underpinning the perpetrator’s reason for victims’ abuse, among them attachment, social learning and cognitive behavioural theories.

    Whatever the theory, gender-based violence affects survivors in a variety of ways, including depression and suicidal ideations.Its impact on the child include its negative effect on the cognitive, emotional and social development. Olive Ogedengbe interrogates these issues in her rich contribution in Chapter Two, though she failed to prescribe possible solutions to the problems she outlined.

    The role of religion in addressing the menace of sexual and gender-based violence is critical. Both the Bible and Koran strongly condemn all ramifications of sexual and gender based violence as they absolutely oppose God’s plan for families. God expects couples to live in love and mutual respect for each other and to care for and properly raise their children in the confines of a loving family.

    The Church and Mosque have a responsibility to prevent the problem of sexual and gender based violence by, among other things, teaching the adherents of their faith the values and rewards of good behaviour as well as the consequences of bad behaviour as enunciated in the Bible and Koran respectively. Where cases of sexual and gender based violence occur, they should provide adequate therapy and counselling for victims. These and more are the perspectives of Pastor Fredrick Thomas and Alhaji Imam Luqman in Chapter three, which though well presented, generally assumed that domestic violence occurs only to women.

    Although SGBV is a criminal offence which is currently being addressed by the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, a more holistic approach is required since it is not all matters of sexual and domestic violence that deserve the hammer of the law. Research has shown that many perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence have often, as children, been victims or witnesses of such acts. This, in turn, has had such negative psychological effect on such children who have now grown to be a perpetrators themselves. Such children need help, not punishment. The adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which focuses on restorative justice, as is now being done in jurisdictions such as Australia and Canada will better serve the interest of this class of perpetrators. The direct on point and very well written contribution of Mrs. Omotilewa Ibirogba in Chapter Four fully encapsulates this viewpoint.

    Policy and law are basic tools for addressing societal vices. Lagos State has characteristically deployed these tools in addressing the menace of SGBV. Chapter five of the book outlines these relevant tools and their positive impact on the resolution of SGBV in the State.

    Beyond law and policy, effective resolution of endemic vices often requires co-ordinated effort. Recognising this fact, the Lagos State government in 2014 set up the DSVRT, a collection of professional service providers and officials that respond essentially as a group to the various needs of domestic and sexual survivors in a judicious manner. The main goal DSVRT is “to encourage and create unprecedented levels of collaboration among professionals working to end gender and sexual based violence in Lagos State. In Chapter Six of the book, TitilolaVivourAdeniyi outlines the team’s vision, mission and core values as well as the roles of its wide ranging collaborating responder agencies, in addition to some success stories of the team. In a world where individualism and personal egoism hold sway, even among professional bodies and organs, which has been the bane of countless lofty ideas, this is a refreshing move.

    The DSVRT, in addressing the menace of SGBV in Lagos State, adopts a three-pronged approach – the provision of medical services; awareness and sensitisation; and quick dispensation of justice. In doing this, the team has encountered various challenges to which it has developed innovative solutions. These challenges and strategic interventions of the team are explored in details in Chapter 10 of the book. Having travelled this uncharted and challenging, but fulfilling route, the DSVRT looks into the future with a projection of its expected achievements in the next two years as a way of institutionalising its reform effort in the fight against SGBV in the closing Chapter, 11.

    The book ends with an appendix of Survivors Stories/Memoirs, graphic trends in domestic violence and worrisome current statistics on domestic and sexual violence in the various local governments and LCDAs of  Lagos State. Apposite recommendations are equally made, based on the overall analysis of the report findings.

     

    • Dr. Udombana is a Senior Research Fellow & Head, Continuing Legal Education and Consultancy, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).
  • Airtel, Lagos partner to curb domestic, sexual violence

    Airtel, Lagos partner to curb domestic, sexual violence

    Airtel Nigeria has announceed a partnership with the Lagos State government to curb the menace of domestic and sexual violence across the metropolis.

    Through the Shortcode, 6820, both organizations are encouraging victims and other residents to report cases of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.

    No doubt that Lagos is leading the campaign through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) while Airtel is providing network resource for the short-code and other telecoms related support.

    Speaking at the launch of the initiative today (16/10/16), the Director of Citizens Right, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Clara Omotilewa Ibirogba, who also chairs the DSVRT, said the use of technology in combatting sexual and gender based violence is the first of its kind in Nigeria, noting that Lagos state is optimistic that the short-code will yield great results in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

    Explaining how the short-code is used, Ibirogba said victims or eyewitness can either dial *6820# or send an SMS to 6820 using the key word, child abuse. Upon sending the SMS, users will receive information on steps to take for the respective case (rape, child abuse, domestic violence, etc).

    The short code will enable the government gather information that can be used for the formulation of prevention policies for Lagos state.

    “A report would also be logged and forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement Agency or Ministry,” she said.

    She also commended Airtel Nigeria for its support to the campaign and for backing the State to fight the ugly incidents of domestic violence, child abuse and sexual abuse.

  • Sexual violence against under-age girls rises in Fiji

    Sexual violence against under-age girls rises in Fiji

    The number of sexual offences on under-age girls has been growing in Fiji in recent years, Fiji village news website said on Tuesday.

    It said that not less than two rape cases emerged recently where the girls got pregnant.

    “Three men allegedly raped an 11-year-old girl in Labasa, Fiji’s Northern Division, earlier this year and she is now pregnant.

    “Also in July, a report was received from health authorities about a 14-year-old falling pregnant after she was raped.’’

    According to Fijian police statistics, there is one rape case happening in the country every day. Statistics from May, 2016 to April, 2017 reveal that every month there are about 40 serious sexual offences.

    In the first five months of 2017, there were 97 victims of rape, 57 were minors and 98 people have been charged for 217 serious sexual offences.

    Figures in 2017 show the youngest victims are one-year-old and a 23-month-old.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Christopher Pryde, said at a forum earlier that a lot of these cases happened in the rural communities.

    According to Fiji’s Crimes Act 2009, a man convicted of rape of an adult can be sentenced to seven to 15 years imprisonment.

    Newly elected president of the Methodist Church in Fiji, Rev. Epineri Vakadewavosa, said that he was already looking at ways to address the issue with the help of members of his church.

  • Senate tasks IGP on upsurge in rape cases, sexual violence

    Senate tasks IGP on upsurge in rape cases, sexual violence

    Obviously worried by the upsurge in cases of rape and other sexual perversions in the land, the Senate has charged the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to speed up investigation and prosecution of such cases.

    The lawmakers urged the police authorities to ensure diligent prosecution of all cases of sexual abuse, violation and violence in line with the provisions of extant laws.

    The Senate also mandated it’s Committees on Health, Women Affairs and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to engage relevant stakeholders with a view to resolving pending cases of sexual violation across the country.

    In view of the trauma experienced by the victims, the senators further urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and paramilitary agencies to establish functional help desk to provide assistance and support to victims.

    The legislators also urged the courts to revisit the penalties prescribed for such offences, including domestic violence, with the view to giving offenders the appropriate and deserving punishment.

    The resolution followed a motion by the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah on the urgent need to address the alarming rate of rape and assault cases against women, children and other vulnerable persons in the country.

    Na’Allah bemoaned the frightening increase in cases of sexual violence in the country, particularly rape, regretting that many of the victims were usually children below the age of consent.

    He also noted that perpetrators of sexual crimes were mostly familiar neighbours, employers of labour and close family members known to the victims.

    The senator further pointed out that sex offenders constituted serious security threat to the larger segment of the society, saying that most of the cases are not getting media attention.

    He expressed concerned that the menace has continued to spread to every part of the country, recording male and female victims.

    According to him, poor prosecution and light convictions by the concerned authorities have worsened the situation, thereby portraying the country in very bad light.

    Senators Ali Wakili, Eyinnaya Abaribe, Ben Bruce and Biodun Olujimi who also contributed to the debate deplored the rise in sex related cases and called for stiffer penalties for offenders.

  • ‘Use social media to curb sexual violence on children’

    ‘Use social media to curb sexual violence on children’

    Some female lawyers have called for the use of social media, as a means to address the menace of sexual harassment of children.

    They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the psychological effects of sexual harassment of girls and boys were profound and needed to be eradicated.

    One of the speakers, Amaka Agbakoba-Onyejianya, said sexual harassment was not a new phenomenon, but was now at an alarming rate.

    She added that the use of social media to create awareness would go a long way to educate the public about its menace.

    “Knowledge begins with awareness. Once we start to have notable individuals as spokespersons going around and talking about the punishable fine of the evil in this act; it will gradually recede.

    “People will start to understand that these are behaviours that are not accepted in the society, and it will attract strict rigorous penalties to the defaulters,” the lawyer said.

    Ify Oji, Managing Partner of Haldane Law firm, said that early sexual education should start in the family, in order to expose the children early and create awareness against paedophiles.

    “We should not limit everything a child learns to the school alone, but as parents we should endeavour to teach our children on the need for proper dressing and indecent acts,” she said.

    Oji added that sometimes girls fall prey to child prostitution out of ignorance, and the devious acts of unscrupulous child traffickers who use make belief stories to lure them away from home.

    “Most of the times they get themselves into child prostitution or dangerous situations when they don’t have money without even knowing it,” she said.

    The lawyer, however, blamed the increase on the level of poverty in the country and the lack of a well-structured system, to impart adequate knowledge for the increased sexual incidences.

    Also, Ricky Asamota, a business consultant said that teaching courses in schools to educate young ones, on proper ways to make money is one way of eliminating such occurrence in future.

    Asomata said that all hand must be on deck to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are caught and brought to book.

    “The law will also play their part so that it will be like one big interconnected system of people, government, social media and individuals all working seamlessly together to raise that awareness.

    “We cannot and should not allow such criminal acts to go on without stamping out feet on the ground for the safe future of our children,” she said.

    Similarly, Mrs Florence Ogunsanya, an educationist, said it was important to teach children especially girls at an early age about their bodies to prevent being taken advantage of.

    “You should tell your girl very early in life that her genitals and buttocks should not be touched by anybody, especially a man.

    “You should even encourage her to shout if any person does so. This technique helps to deter would be molesters,” she said.

    Ogunsanya, however, pointed out that sexual harassment involved both male and female adding that boys also suffer such violation from female predators which needed to be addressed.

  • Ambode’s wife cautions against domestic, sexual violence

    Ambode’s wife cautions against domestic, sexual violence

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode on Wednesday urged community leaders and members of the society to rise up against domestic and sexual violence, just as she said that people must be made to be aware of the heavy punishment for perpetrators of such crime.

    Mrs. Ambode, who spoke in Ikorodu at a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in partnership with the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotebi, said community leaders must spread the message to prevent the crime, adding that such was necessary to combat the menace and discourage people from indulging in it.

    The wife of the Governor, who was represented by Mrs. Titilayo Ogunlewe, wife of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, commended DSVRT for being at the vanguard of the fight against the crime, but reiterated the fact that Rape and Defilement carry life imprisonment, whilst domestic violence and child abuse are all crimes committed against the State.

    She said: “It is also important to sensitise members of the public on the impact these crimes can have on the victim, understanding the multiple effects on the victim, immediate family and the community. If members of the society are aware of their roles and responsibilities, more victims would be willing to come forward and therefore help in ensuring perpetrators are brought to book.”

    The town hall meeting, which took place at the Palace of Ayangburen of Ikorodu, was said to be in line with the mandate and commitment of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to combat all forms of domestic and sexual violence crimes.

    The theme of the Town Hall Meeting was: The Role of the Society in Tackling Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).

    Earlier in her welcome remarks, DSVRT Coordinator, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the meeting was in clear response to the reprehensible trend where victims of SGBV are ostracized and harassed by the community because they reported the crime.

    She disclosed that there have been instances where the victims have been pressurized by the society to settle out of court.

    According to her, “The strategic initiative taken by the DSVRT is to embark on grassroots sensitisation campaigns which aim to enlighten key stakeholders and influencers within the society on the right steps to take in response to an incidence SGBV.”

    On his part, Oba Shotebi harped on the important role of the society, which can be summarised as report the act, protect the victim, encourage justice and shame the perpetrator.

    The monarch sounded a clear warning that the culture of stigmatisation would no longer be tolerated, just as he said that such was of utmost importance as recent statistics revealed an increase in the reporting of these incidents in Ikorodu area and its environs.
    The contact details of relevant agencies in Ikorodu was given out and victims of Sexual Assault were advised to go to Primary Health Care Centres in Ikorodu as Health Workers had recently been trained on sexual assault management and equipped with Rape kits and cost of laboratory testing had been provided for by the State Government.

    The meeting had all the relevant stakeholders in attendance namely officers of National Union Road Transport Workers, Market Men and Women, artisans, the Nigeria Police, Faith Based Organisations, Community Development Associations, Vigilante groups, Landlord and Tenant Associations, Sole Administrators of the Local Government, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, school children drawn from both public and private schools and the media.

    Dignitaries that attended the town hall meeting included Mrs Ambode, Senator representing Lagos East at the upper legislative chamber, Gbenga Ashafa; Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade and a member of the Assembly from Ikorodu, Hon. Nurudeen Saka, among others.

  • UN agency releases films to mark day against sexual violence

    UN agency releases films to mark day against sexual violence

    The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC’s) Country Office in Nigeria is to release three films as part of global efforts to stamp-out sexual violence against women. The film depicts the harrowing experiences of sex trafficking victims and their families, while also beaming critical searchlight on child labour and exploitation.

    The United Nations General Assembly had in June last year by consensus agreed to commemorate June 19 as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

    The three films: Homecoming; Lost children and Kelechi were produced by Homevida, an independent film making entity under the European Union (EU) funded ‘Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria’ project being implemented UNODC in support of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

    A statement by Mr Sylvester Tunde Atere of UNODC said, Homecoming portrays the lifestyle of an average, educated family with the desire to have their young daughter school overseas for her undergraduate studies and with the assistance of her aunt, she went to Europe.  However, things did not go as planned because rather than the aunt enrolling her in the University as promised to the parents, she seized her travel documents and enrolled the young girl as a sexual commodity to bring financial returns to the aunt.”

    The two other films, Lost Children and Kelechi equally depict the harsh realities of child trafficking, child labour, abuse and ritual killing. Specifically, ‘Lost children’ shows the vulnerability of young girls and boys hawking on the streets and the different risks associated with children who are left unguided by adults. These risks include being kidnapped and sold for ritual purpose, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude and/or child pornography.

    The Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the UNODC in support of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigerian Immigration Service and a network of civil society organisations.

  • Lagos, police partner on domestic, sexual violence

    Lagos, police partner on domestic, sexual violence

    The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and the Police have agreed to partner to end domestic and sexual violence.

    DSVRT members led by their Coordinator, Mrs Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, made the pledge while presenting 250 copies of sexual offences-related laws to the state Police Command in Ikeja.

    She told the Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, that the team believed in the capacity of the police to end the scourge in the state, stressing that the issue is also on the front burner of the programmes of Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    “We have enjoyed a better partnership with the Police and we would like the relationship to continue,” she said.

    The DSVRT chief said the team would want a situation whereby every Divisional Police Officer (DPO) is a partner in the fight against sexual and domestic violence in the state.

    CP Owoseni urged the team to spread the news of how to combat sexual and domestic violence among the youth to make the advocacy successful, urging the team to ensure effective coordination of the advocacy groups “so that we know what each group is doing”.

    He complained of too many organisations claiming to be fighting sexual and domestic violence and other vices in the society, saying that the issue has become a matter of concern to the police.

    “There are so many interventions. They appeared to be working at cross purposes. There is no meeting point. Most of them are doing more of theoretical aspect of fighting the vice when they should domesticate their advocacy in the culture of the people in order to get more people educated and enlightened,” he said.

    Owoseni also lamented that the civil society was not doing enough to encourage the police to be at the vanguard of the fight against the vice, citing a movie in which the police was projected as not doing enough on the matter.

    “The Police is an institution and should be encouraged to do more and  not bastardised. We need to rub each other on the back to make a success of the struggle,” he said.

    A member of the team, Dr. Christiana Awosika, told the CP that the civil society was working towards ensuring that the Police is projected in a more positive position in the future.

    She said the civil society had realised that the people would have more trust in the police when they started seeing them playing positive roles in movies.