ZAINAB JUNAID
Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has organized a two-day training on prevention and management of sexual assault for health care workers in Lagos State.
Speaking at the training programme, Mrs Omotola Rotimi, Administrator General and Public Trustee of Lagos State Ministry of Justice, stressed the need for availability of forensic facilities on the part of doctors for evidence gathering and investigation, which will hitherto help enhance and hasten court judgement on every domestic and Sexual Violence Case.
While advising participants present at the programme to ensure they present detailed report as evidence in court, she outlined the different level of sexual assault and their respective punishment as applicable by law.
According to her, "By law, sexual assault occur only if there is penetration into the Virgina as in section 261 and this is punishable with life in imprisonment" .
"Penetration by any form into the anus, Virgina, mouth or any other openings in the body of another person with a part of his body or anything else, answer a case of transgender and punishment is life imprisonment."
Also Speaking at the programme, Dr. Omoera Victoria, Productive Health Coordinator, Lagos State Ministry of Health, affirmed that in-depth sensitisation against social stigmatisation of survivors as well as provision of psychosocial support services would help boost survivors’ confidence and interaction within the society.
Dr. Omoera later advised health workers to be respectful and show compassionate towards survivors of the violence.
Meanwhile on her part, Avril Euewu Eoero, a trainer at the programme and also a Forensic Investigator, urged participants present at the training programme to always make available factual forensic reports on violences that occurs as it always enhance and hasten court verdict on the illicit act.
