Ogun State police officers have received training on handling gender-based violence cases, including preserving evidence, protecting survivors’ privacy and dignity, and ensuring timely referrals for medical, psychological and legal support.
The two-day capacity-building workshop was organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the APIN Public Health Initiative to strengthen officers’ skills in post-violence care and survivor-centred investigations.
The training covered procedures for responding to sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate-partner violence, child abuse and exploitation, with emphasis on preventing re-traumatisation and maintaining confidentiality.
Participants were also trained on obtaining informed consent, conducting survivor interviews, preserving evidence and coordinating referrals to Sexual Assault Referral Centres, healthcare facilities and social welfare agencies.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Adebimpe Folusho Obienu, said the workshop was designed to improve security officers’ practical knowledge of rights-based responses to gender-based violence, including safe referrals and coordinated post-violence care.
Sessions on the second day focused on medical and psychological support, legal assistance and safety planning. Officers were also sensitised to the need for urgent clinical assessment following sexual violence and the administration of post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours where indicated.
The workshop reviewed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, particularly Section One, and examined the roles of Police Gender Units, Family Support Units, Sexual Assault Referral Centres and social welfare agencies in supporting survivors.
Through practical exercises, officers rehearsed responses to survivor disclosures, risk assessment, case documentation and referrals. Discussions also addressed professional conduct, accountability, gaps in response procedures and ways to manage secondary trauma among officers.
The Ogun State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, said it remained committed to continuous training and retraining to improve professionalism, meet modern policing standards and strengthen protection and service delivery for survivors across the state.