DSVA trains 24 Police officers on SGBV investigation, prosecution

By Adebola Muili

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has trained 24 police officers on best practices in the investigation and prosecution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.

The two-day capacity-building programme, held from September 3 to 4, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by officers from the newly established Family6 Support Units (FSUs) in Isheri, Idimu, Meiran, Ijesha and Iju (Red House), as well as officers from the Gender Desk of the Lagos State Police Command.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and signed by the Head, Public Affairs Unit, Onadipe Opebere, the agency said the training was aimed at strengthening the officers’ capacity to investigate and prosecute SGBV cases in a survivor-centred, trauma-informed and legally sound manner.

According to the DSVA, the programme focused on evidence gathering, investigation, documentation, reporting and inter-agency collaboration, with emphasis on survivor safety and offender accountability.

The participants were trained on SGBV response principles, human rights and legal frameworks, police reporting standards, management of cases involving women, men and children, forensic evidence and investigative practices.

They were also exposed to the interpretation of medical and forensic reports, child-friendly interviewing, preservation of evidence and referral pathways for survivors.

Speaking at the training, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, commended officers serving in Family Support Units and Gender Desks for their commitment to protecting survivors and advancing access to justice.

She stressed that professional and effective investigation remained critical to securing accountability, strengthening public confidence and improving outcomes for survivors.

The officers were also introduced to the RE-S-PONSE framework, which stands for Respect, Empathy, Supportiveness, Positivity, Openness and Non-judgemental conduct, as a guide for professional engagement with survivors.

The agency further emphasised the importance of collaboration among law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, prosecutors and other service providers in responding effectively to SGBV cases.

It said participants were sensitised to State-supported services available to survivors, including Sexual Assault Referral Centres, shelters, healthcare, psychosocial support and legal assistance.

Facilitators at the training included Vivour-Adeniyi; retired DSP Kenneth Emegwamor Okafor; Dr. Oluwajimi Sodipo; Mr. Babajide Boye; and Mrs. Oluwatumininu Oni, Head of Case Management, DSVA.

At the end of the programme, participants called for sustained capacity building for law enforcement officers and stronger legal protection for parents of sexually abused children against threats or intimidation.

The training formed part of the DSVA’s mandate to promote survivor safety, offender accountability and a coordinated response to domestic and sexual violence across Lagos State.