‘Survivors of GBV must have access to justice’

Leadership Initiative For Youth Empowerment (LIFE) has advocated access to justice for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The group made this advocacy during a dialogue session with the theme: “Justice Sector stakeholders Dialogue: Improving access for vulnerable survivors of GBV in Lagos.”

At the session, which had Ministries, Department Agencies (MDAs) in attendance, the group’s Programme Officer, Stephen Ogechi lamented that many vulnerable survivors of GBV face challenges in accessing justice and don’t know the preventive measures to take because many are scared to speak out.

She emphasised that survivors must have access to justice and explained that they can report cases of abuse to the various channels handling GBV.

“Don’t take it to your family, don’t do a family meeting, don’t call family members to handle the case, take it to the authorities, they will help guide you through the process and steps you can take to get justice.

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“If anyone is scared to speak up, he won’t get justice and he won’t get healed. The fellow has to sum up courage to speak up, and if still scared, the authorities have a safe space where GBV survivors get therapy.’’

They must be offered psychological and mental support because they need it to proceed in life or heal. If they are scared to speak up, it means they are not ready to get justice,” Ogechi said.

On her part, a legal officer at Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Efundunni Sowemimo advised survivors to always come up and speak the truth instead of blaming themselves.”

“They will always have a listening ear and access to justice. We’ll ensure that nobody get blamed for whatever experiences they have as a result of someone’s mismanagement of emotions. So you will always have a backbone to access whatever form of justice you feel you need,” she said.

Centre Manager, Mirabel Centre, Joy Shokoya encouraged survivors to rise above the abuse and never to be quiet about reporting to the authorities.

A representative from the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (MWAPA), Mrs Alabi Olafisayo urged citizens to take preventive measures against GBV instead of waiting until the harm is done.