How To Tackle Sexual And Gender Based Violence- Bolanle Ambode Speaks

On Wednesday, the Lagos state first lady, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode who spoke in Ikorodu at a town hall meeting organized by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in partnership with the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotebi, pleaded with community leaders and members of the society to rise up against domestic and sexual violence. She said that people must be aware of the heavy punishment for perpetrators of such crimes, Nation reports.

She said: “It is also important to sensitise members of the public on the impact these crimes can have on the victim, understanding the multiple effects on the victim, immediate family, and the community. If members of the society are aware of their roles and responsibilities, more victims would be willing to come forward and therefore help in ensuring perpetrators are brought to book.”

The meeting which was themed: ‘The Role of the Society in Tackling Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)’ was said to be in line with the mandate and commitment of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to fight all forms of domestic and sexual violence crimes within the state.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, DSVRT Coordinator, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the meeting was in clear response to the reprehensible trend where victims of SGBV are ostracized and harassed by the community because they reported the crime.

The coordinator revealed that there have been instances where the victims have been pressurized by the society to settle out of court.

According to her: “The strategic initiative taken by the DSVRT is to embark on grassroots sensitisation campaigns which aim to enlighten key stakeholders and influencers within the society on the right steps to take in response to an incidence SGBV.”

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Speaking at the meeting, Oba Shotebi spoke on the important role the society has to play in tackling the issue, which can be summarised as:

Report the act
Protect the victim
Encourage justice and
Shame the perpetrator.