Lagos trains judges, others on adjudication of SGBV cases

The Lagos State Government through Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has trained judges and magistrates on best practices for adjudicating sexual and gender-based violence cases (GBV) in the state.

In his keynote address at the training programme, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, stressed the need to tackle the sexual and gender-based violence cases through a hands-on holistic approach via intensive training for stakeholders.

He stated that the availability of forensic facilities for evidence gathering and investigation, aggressive sensitisation against social stigmatisation of victims/survivals as well as provision of psychosocial support services would further boost survivors’ confidence and integration into the society.

The chief judge, who also raised concerns about the protection of witnesses in court and encouraged the government to provide technology gadgets to interview or collect witness statements either virtually or physically, gave the assurance that more in-house trainings would be organised for timely/prompt adjudication of justice.

Also, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, lauded the DSVA’s successful provision of immense support and assistance to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual crimes, particularly children and women in obnoxious environment, adding that the increasing rate of cases received and handled by the DSVA are causes of concern to the state.

Shitta-Bey also maintained that the menace of SGBV required a holistic collaborative effort as survivors deserve to be treated delicately and with empathy at all stages of the criminal process taking into cognizance their traumatic and psychological state.

The Executive Secretary Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA Mrs. Lola Vivour-Adeniyi earlier in her Welcome, said the training was most compelling at the time as SGBV cases were on the rise and the objective was to address easy access to justice and faster delivering to Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence.

Facilitators handled various sessions amongst whom were Prof. Olufunmilayo Bammeke, Dean of Faculty- University of Social Sciences University of Lagos, Dr. Tolu Oko-Ighaire of the Institute of Counseling in Nigeria, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi Administrator General and Public Trustee, Ministry of Justice and Mrs. Atinuke Odukoya, Executive Director – Center for Women Health and Information CEWHIN and Mrs. Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency DSVA.