Lagos engages 500 UNILAG students on sexual assault prevention

IN line with the mandate of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode to embark on various sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) had engaged over 5000 University of Lagos (UNILAG) students on Sexual Assault Prevention.

The Sexual Assault Prevention Drive for Higher Institutions organised by DSVRT in partnership with the Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation is aimed at addressing issues of sexual harassment, date rape, safety on campus, the role of a bystander and prevention.
 
DSVRT’s Coordinator, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi told The Guardian that the first drive kicked off on Wednesday, January 13, 2016 which coincided with the orientation session for new students.
  
Apart from giving the students tips of how to avoid being victims of sexual assault, she said the students were also informed of how tostay safe in social settings, some of which include making a plan B for emergency exits from a place, protecting their drinks, avoiding clubs or parties that charge men but let women enter and drink for free.
  
According to her, students were also informed and educated on the legal implications of committing sexual assault offences, and they were surprised to hear that these crimes carry up to life imprisonment.
 
“Conversely, students were informed of their roles as bystanders, in intervening and assisting in preventing sexual assault.
 
“They were taught to CARE, which means, Create a distraction,  Ask directly,  Refer the matter to an authority and Enlist others and for their fellow students.

Students were also given tips on how to date smart, some of which include setting limits and being clear on them, being mindful of behaviours of their partners some of which include degrading mannerisms, extreme jokes or language, violent tendencies,  and controlling or overbearing tendencies.