CCPRH Extends Sensitization to Oyo State Gender Desk Officer's _ UNFPA

 

 BY: BISODUN BASSEY ROXANNE.

Part of the efforts of Oyo state Government with the increasing prevalence of violence against humanity in the Society, home's and organisation's, the Centre for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health UCH under the Leadership of Prof Oladosu Ogengbede, on the13th of December 2024, the office presented Certificate of Participation to Trained Security Personnels, Professional Gender Desk Officer's from State Law Enforcement Agencies after a 3-day Comprehensive investigative SGBV sensitization according to VAPP Law on how best to handle case's of Sexual Gender Based Violence and GBV, rendering a Specialized Support for SGBV Survivor's, through an active member of staff of CCPRH who also trained participants and enlightened the participants on the effects of Gender Based Violence (GBV) focused on the Objectives of the training, SGBV core - concepts, attitudinal perceptions, ground rules, and objectives, the definition of Sex, Gender, and  Transgender, to familiarise Law Enforcement Desk Officer's with provisions of VAPP Law, presentation of Certificates, in person of Director of Programs, Mr Emmanuel Oluwole Yelotan, at the end of the 3- day programme held at development centre Iyaganku G.R.A from 11th- 13th of December, it ended with Case - Scenarios, Group work and Plenary, sponsored by United Nations Population Fund, in Collaboration with Oyo State Government led by Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde. 

Mrs Modupe Helen Awosemusi pierced efficiently, the mission to end every act of violence against Persons, a Barrister at Law from the Ministry of Justice, concerning matter's on topics to be dealt with, such as Gender Desk Officer's Provisons in Response to SGBV, handling of GBV case's, Forensic in SGBV investigation ,gathering of Facts at the crime scene , interpretation of medical reports, preparation of case file, witness Testimony, ways to engage survivor's, preparation for court appearance, challenging the chain of evidence, Referral of SGBV case's, forms of violence/ SGBV, with survivor's centre approach, improving investigations efficiency, minimising delays, and helping to bring perpetrators to book, under the criminal law and violence against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPP) Law, proper handling of Forensic investigation and examination being timely,  adding that such evidence do strengthen legal proceedings if not lapsed, " agencies collaborative effort will go a long way with community engagement," data collection enhancing reporting with proper documentation for an effective adjudication which will determine the rights to justice for SGBV Survivor's. 

Further information was given as nota bien to Officer's, that responses and re- actions from a Gender Desk Officer's at the preliminary stage of investigation should not jeopardise survivor's character to avoid being traumatised, victims already experience in one way or the other, a traumatic stress disorder. 

During the training, she reiterated on Officer's co- ordination with each agencies  as easy access to solution and Justice, respect in line with rights of a survivor, tone of approach ,and not attributing blames, or making survivor's feel they provoked the act, while Testimonies, and sensitive information, with witness should be handled in confidentiality. 

Barrister Modupe shed more light on the essence of  Forensic Examination and investigations, non physical and Electronic evidence, cyber stalking, survivor's protection, risk assessment, ensuring safety of officer and the affected is highly guaranteed to safe guide fundamental human rights in other to end harmful stereotypes assumptions and acts challenging Gender Bias.

Endeavour not to damage the trust between you and the survivor, especially when the survivor's are the Reserved type of complainants, and conservative one's,  who may feel reluctant to proceed with legal actions, even when the case has been reported, pressing a survivor to get more information increases stress and could discourage from seeking further help from the service provider, Desk Officer's must know when to put perpetrators behind bars in case management in other not to affect the survivor's recovery from the scene in domestic type of violence, when pressure is being noticed, 

It should also be noted that, when the service provider is pursuing  justice,  accurate signed Comprehensive data is highly needed, facilitate legal support, develop professional strategies to manage  pressures, some are afraid of being stigmatised.

As a Law Enforcement Desk Officer's, recommend a trauma informed approach when a survivor has been traumatised by defence counsel, be sensitive enough to know a distressed survivor, do post trial psychological support,  follow up for Restitutional compensation, also to note when protection order is needed. 

Mrs Awosemusi proffered alternative method of gathering evidence where there is delay in reporting, a trained officer is needed on Desk to engage positively in a case of Sexual assault. 

Ending with all actors who engages with survivor's, having up to date written information about where to refer case's with supports in confidentiality and privacy. 

Lawyer Modupe also advised in raising more awareness and training within each agencies while returning to their various offices and Commands, co ordinate with other stakeholders and external agencies. Do not go beyond  your limits when handling case's of Gender Based Violence (GBV) refer as at when due, she said. 

Among other speakers were, Mrs Olafunmilayo Akinpelu a Major and experienced Trainer on Gender Based Violence/ FGM case's, from Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Services and Inclusion. 

Mrs Olafunmilayo Akinpelu emphasised on Contributing Root causes of SGBV, consequences of GBV, mistakes and assumptions when handling SGBV case's, Desk Officer's should be sensitive enough to know who is going through depression,  show some love , emphaty  is crucial  for effective  response, handling with cognitive that has to do with  intelligence   development  thoughts,  with  trauma informed Communication,   understanding the referral pathway, Referral of case's, essential services links, linking survivor's to shelters,  Emergency response, trauma informed Communication, Health care support, Communication skills and psychological Rules and Roles, Risk Factors for Secondary Traumatisation, Mental health notification, PFA in SGBV response, and how to manage secondary trauma, psycho- social complications and FGM, with Emotional Consequences of GBV.

During Mrs Oluwabukola Olafunmilayo's training, cogent points were raised to avoid the aftermath that usually affects 1st Responders due to often exposure to case's of different types of violence acts, which was agreed to be Facts and not fallacies after Secondary Traumatisation  breakdown as a topic. 

Mrs Modupe hereby urge every actor's, Gender Desk Officer's to resist being emotional, instead empathise, refer the case to the right appropriate related offices.

According to the trainer, lack of professionalism in best practices at handling SGBV Survivor's may lead to re- inforces feeling's of shame, guilt, and depression, depriving survivor's from their legal rights. 

Adding, a trained officer must know how to act on a survivor having multiple and complex need, that requires a comprehensive set of services, applying necessary coordinated multi - sectoral response for the affected, such as counselling with continual psyco- social supports, Economic, do not share their personal information without consent, need for resources and personal support, respect their choices on decision making, listening actively and respectfully, make provisions for urgent assistance, use a friendly and a calm tone for better results, allow survivor's to tell their stories, take a break if the need arise, knowing fully that silence is one of the strategies, being described as a powerful tool, for positive outcomes, desk Officer's should also avoid being judgemental or discriminate, and know how to apply safety first, encourage the survivor's with legal actions, but note they are going through unresolved personal trauma. 

Mrs Akinpelu also urge all Actors to pay attention to their mental health as well, balancing efforts at home and office, such daily encounter and issues, not handled professionally, it affects psychologically with Emotional imbalance, in other not to increase vulnerability, visit  a health provider and Social worker. Responders should also note changes in their behavioural attitudes, this might be symptoms of Secondary  Traumatisation due to different encounter. Validate feelings, use healing statements not harassing, and silence where appropriate, proffer  assurance from related offices, giving attitudes will make a survivor felt uncared for, therefore breaking interaction and trust to speak further.  

When ST is being noticed, take a break, go on exercise, listening to music of your choice, dancing and other few beliefs been taught, resume to office and be active, after a short break, train other's who are not privileged to sit under SGBV  Comprehensive sensitive informative Training. Heal your heart, and Emotions, while you also pay attention to mental health notifications at frequent exposure to trauma, priotize your health,  organize your task, and register for counselling. In other to have high       productivity in your chosen field.    

Among Top Gender Desk Officer's present were, O.C gender Iyaganku officer Funke Ayenigbara State CID  Iyaganku, officer Funmi Akinsanya Anti Human Trafficking SCID, officer Afe from Civil Defence, officer Ayiti Anti Human Trafficking also from NSCDC

The CCPRH Senior Programs Director Mrs Tolu Babawarun during her welcoming address, stressed a take home need to engage with Law Enforcement Gender Desk Personnels, in the course of   CCPRH Project implementation ensuring case's of Sexual Gender Based Violence and GBV with total eradication and abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation, according to record's case's of SGBV get worsening at the earliest stage of reporting to Security Operatives, reason's for Training and Re-training of Uniform Officer's with great hope of positive outcomes, whereby, this comprehensive enlightened is needed.