Legal and law enforcement experts have called for more effective legal action and victim-centered approaches in handling sexual violence cases in Nigeria.
This was the focus of a capacity-building workshop organized by Headfort Foundation for Justice. With support from the African Women Development Fund, the workshop brought together prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, and other first responders to improve case management and investigative processes in sexual violence cases.
Stakeholders at the event emphasized the need for law enforcement officers to demonstrate empathy and conduct thorough investigations. They also condemned the prevailing culture of silence, which has hindered the prosecution of sexual violence cases.
Speaking to journalists, the Executive Director of Headfort Foundation for Justice, Mrs. Oluyomi Orija, stressed that sexual violence undermines justice and social equity. She noted that while both men and women can be victims, the culture of silence, particularly regarding female survivors, is on the rise.
She highlighted the importance of the workshop, pointing out gaps in the diligent prosecution of sexual violence cases. According to her, some security agents either lack the necessary knowledge to handle these cases or compromise due to external influences.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Bolarinwa Odeyale, Chairman of the NBA Abeokuta Branch, urged collective action against sexual violence. He stressed that lawyers, police officers, religious leaders, and parents must work together to combat the menace.
Odeyale identified out-of-court settlements, often encouraged by parents or religious leaders, as a major barrier to justice. He also called for trauma-informed training for law enforcement officers handling sexual violence cases to ensure sensitivity and professionalism.
The NBA chair argued that “Law enforcement agents handling sexual violence cases must undergo trauma informed training to be able to handle cases of sexual violence,” he said while urging all stakeholders to ensure that “victims of sexual violence are heard without intimidation when they report cases of sexual violence”.
In her presentation, Mrs. Adekemi Adebo, Secretary of the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission, described sexual violence as one of the most egregious human rights violations, with profound and lasting consequences for victims.
Despite progress in legal frameworks and advocacy, she noted that justice systems worldwide still struggle with ensuring effective case management while maintaining a victim-centered approach.
She outlined key challenges hindering the prosecution of sexual violence cases, including: “Insufficient funding for victim support programs. Fear of retaliation, which discourages victims from reporting cases. Cultural and institutional biases, which prevent justice from being served.”
To address these challenges, Adebo recommended “stronger witness protection mechanisms to encourage victim participation in legal processes, legislative reforms to align Nigeria’s legal definitions of sexual violence with international standards, and public education and sensitization programs to change societal attitudes toward victims of sexual violence.”
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” Adebo emphasized, adding that the justice system must be efficient and compassionate in handling sexual violence cases.