Lagos begins rehabilitation programme for perpetrators of domestic violence
Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi
The Lagos Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has commenced the provision of support and healing group sessions for perpetrators of domestic violence in the state.
The Executive Secretary, DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, in a statement on Thursday, said the programme was in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment and resolve to provide holistic response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.
She said the worrisome increase in cases of domestic violence had informed the necessity to address the trend. She said the programme would tackle the root causes of domestic violence; while the support and healing group sessions would address the underlying factors contributing to the perpetrator’s violent behaviour as results from their research show that most cases stem from deep-seated issues such as unresolved trauma, anger management, substance abuse and others.
She highlighted that without psychological intervention, “there is a risk that they may perpetuate the cycle of violence in their own relationships or pass it on to future generations, hence the employment of this through strategic intervention.
“Perpetrators can gain insight into these factors and develop healthier coping strategies and also break the cycle of violence that the support and healing group sessions can avail.
Vivour-Adeniyi disclosed that these structured intervention sessions would enable perpetrators gain insights into alternative coping mechanisms, conflict resolution skills, and healthy relationship dynamics.
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