‘Why Lagos domestic violence law is not effective’

Executive director of the group, Barrister Titilope Akosa, said low level of awareness about the law and the culture of condoning domestic violence as a family affair not deserving to be reported as a crime, limits the enforcement of the law on perpetrators.Akosa who spoke while declaring open the Week of Action Against Domestic Violence […]

Executive director of the group, Barrister Titilope Akosa, said low level of awareness about the law and the culture of condoning domestic violence as a family affair not deserving to be reported as a crime, limits the enforcement of the law on perpetrators.
Akosa who spoke while declaring open the Week of Action Against Domestic Violence in Lagos, advocated the need for massive awareness and working with the populace to break the culture of silence in the face of domestic violence.
According to her, the challenge of changing mindsets and encouraging survivors to take domestic violence rest on everyone’s shoulders as game changers and agents of change.
She said: “It is our collective responsibility to let the populace know that silence in the face of domestic violence or any form of violence at all is not accepted as virtue in any civilised society, rather it is a vice which must be discouraged.
‘’In the same vein, it must be recognised that the power in speaking out and changing mindset can only be realised when survivors are aware of preventive measures and accessible support services that are in place to protect them,’’ he also said.
She commended the approaches Lagos State has adopted in addressing domestic violence, especially the training of policemen in handling domestic violence and sexual assault, the setting up of the model police stations and family support unit as well as the establishment of the domestic violence and sexual assault response team.
She said these are laudable initiatives that can strengthen the effective enforcement of the law and give victims the confidence to report violations of the law
She said: “On the part of LASGAT and its partners, we will be raising awareness and encouraging the people of Lagos during this week of action to take full advantage of the law and support services provided by government and other stakeholders to prevent people against domestic violence.
‘’Significantly, we will be unveiling our awareness stickers for the week and the directory of institutions and organisations rendering support services on domestic violence in Lagos State, Barrister Titilope Akosa, said.