Lagos DSVA Trains 24 Police Officers On SGBV Investigation, Prosecution

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has trained 24 police officers on best practices for investigating and prosecuting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases.

The officers were drawn from the newly upgraded Family Support Units (FSUs) in Isheri, Idimu, Meiran, Ijesha and Iju (Red House), as well as the Gender Desk of the Lagos State Police Command.

The two-day capacity-building programme was held from September 3 to 4, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

The DSVA, in a statement by its Head of Public Affairs Unit, Onadipe Opebere, on Monday, said the training was aimed at equipping the officers with practical skills for handling SGBV cases in a “survivor-centred, trauma-informed and legally sound manner.”

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According to the agency, the programme focused on evidence gathering, investigation, documentation, reporting and inter-agency collaboration in the management of SGBV cases.

It said participants were trained on SGBV response principles, human rights and legal frameworks, police reporting standards, forensic evidence, investigative practices and the interpretation of medical and forensic reports.

Other areas covered included the management of cases involving women, men and children, child-friendly interviewing, preservation of evidence and referral pathways.

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

Vivour-Adeniyi stressed that “professional and effective investigation remains critical to securing accountability, strengthening public confidence and improving outcomes for survivors.”

The officers were also introduced to the RE-S-PONSE framework, which represents Respect, Empathy, Supportiveness, Positivity, Openness and Non-judgemental conduct.

The agency said the framework was designed to guide officers in their professional engagement with survivors.

The training also highlighted the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, prosecutors and other service providers in responding to SGBV cases.

According to the DSVA, participants were sensitised to state-supported services available to survivors, including Sexual Assault Referral Centres, shelters, healthcare, psychosocial support and legal assistance.

Facilitators included professionals with expertise in law enforcement, medicine, criminal justice, prosecution and survivor support.

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