By HeapNews
Headfort Foundation for Justice has held a capacity-building workshop for prosecutors, Lawyers, Nigeria Police and other first responders involved in handling sexual violence cases.
Newsmen reports that the Workshop, Titled: “Strengthening Justice Advocates’ Capacity to Respond to Sexual Violence Cases,” was held on Thursday at the NBA Centre, Leme, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The workshop was put together by Headfort Foundation for Justice with the support of African Women Development Fund.
The workshop was geared towards building a community of practice that is in tandem with international best practices in the handling of cases of sexual violence.
The stakeholders agree that law enforcement agents must show empathy and carry out thorough investigations of cases involving sexual violence.
They frowned against the prevailing culture of silence that has frustrated the logical prosecution of sexual violent cases.
Speaking to newsmen at the event, the Executive Director of Headfort Foundation for Justice, Mrs Oluyomi Orija, noted that sexual violence undermines the very fabric of justice and social equity.
She said that sexual violence can be perpetrated to any gender, but added that the culture of silence in cases of sexual violence, especially to women was on the increase.
She urged the female gender to always speak out.
According to her, the capacity building workshop is important because of the delicate nature of the crime.
She said that there was gap in the diligent prosecution of cases of sexual violence because security agents were either ignorant of what to do or because of compromise.
The Keynote Speaker at the workshop, Mr Bolarinwa Odeyale, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Abeokuta branch, said that all stakeholders, including, lawyers, police, pastors, Imams and parents should put heads together to fight the menace of sexual violence in the society.
Odeyale noted that there was the code of silence frustrating the diligent prosecution of sexual violence cases by law enforcement agents.
He identified the ugly trend of parents or religious leaders trying to settle the cases of sexual violence out of the court, thus preventing the law from taking its course.
He added that stakeholders should also go all out to make resources available to take care of the victims of sexual violence.
The NBA chair argued that law enforcement agents handling sexual violence cases must undergo trauma-informed training to be able to handle cases of sexual violence.
He urged all stakeholders to ensure that victims of sexual violence are heard without intimidation when they report cases of sexual violence.
In her presentation, Mrs Adekemi Adebo, Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Ogun State, said that sexual violence remains one of the egregious violations of human rights, with profound and lasting consequences for victims.
Adebo said that despite significant progress in legal frameworks and advocacy efforts, justice systems worldwide continue to struggle with ensuring effective case management while maintaining a victim centred approach.
She noted that the successful prosecution of sexual violence cases requires a well structured case management system that ensures thorough investigation, timely prosecution, and the protection of victim’s rights.
She added that effective case management relies on a multidisciplinary approach involving law enforcement, medical professionals, legal professionals, social workers and victim advocates.
“This approach enhances coordination, minimises delays and improves the likelihood of securing justice for survivors,” Adebo said.
She listed the following as challenges to effective management of sexual violence cases.
“Insufficient funding for victim support programs.
” Reluctance of victims to report due to fear of retaliation
“The persistence of cultural and institutional biases.
To address some of these challenges, she recommended:
“Stronger witness protection mechanisms to encourage victim participation in legal processes.
“Legislative reforms to eliminate discriminatory laws and ensure that legal definitions of sexual violence align with international standards.
“Enhanced public education and sensitisation programmes to change societal attitudes toward victims of sexual violence.
She urged stakeholders to remain committed to upholding the rights of survivors, holding perpetrators accountable an fostering a justice system that is both efficient and compassionate.
“Justice delayed is juistice denied, and true justice can only be achieved when survivors feel heard, supported and empowered to seek redress.
“It is our collective duty to build a future where sexual violence is met with unwavering legal action and comprehensive victim support,” Adebo concluded.
Newsmen reports that the workshop was attended by the targeted stakeholders in their huge numbers.