By Ebinum Samuel
The Ogun State Police Command said its officers have participated in a two-day capacity building training on Post-Violence Care and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the APIN Public Health Initiative. The workshop sensitised and equipped officers on the do’s and don’ts expected of them as primary first responders in GBV cases, ensuring survivor-centred handling and post-violence care while carrying out their statutory duties.
The police image maker, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said declaring the program open, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Adebimpe Folusho Obienu Esq., welcomed participants and stated that the workshop was aimed at strengthening security officers’ knowledge and practical skills in survivor-centred, rights-based, and coordinated responses to GBV, including safe referrals and post-violence care, while executing their statutory duties of investigating such cases.
The first day laid a comprehensive foundation, addressing prevailing myths and facts about GBV, while providing officers with an in-depth understanding of its various forms, drivers, risk factors, and societal impact. Technical sessions highlighted relevant laws and the expectations of prosecutors during police investigations, emphasizing that the police serve as the foundation of every case.
Officers were trained on first-response procedures at scenes and police stations to ensure survivor safety, privacy, dignity, and non-discrimination. The sessions further underscored survivor-centred communication to avoid re-traumatisation, proper survivor interviewing techniques, obtaining informed consent, maintaining strict confidentiality, evidence preservation, and establishing seamless referral pathways with Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and healthcare facilities across the state.
The second day focused on practical applications and post-violence care pathways, covering medical care, psychological support, legal assistance, and safety planning. Emphasis was laid on time-sensitive care following sexual violence, including the necessity of urgent clinical assessment and the administration of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours where indicated. Officers were also guided on responding to child survivors, intimate-partner violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and exploitation, as well as safeguarding protocols for persons at heightened risk. Then the VAPP Law 2015 was reviewed, especially section one of the Act. Inter-agency coordination was further highlighted, detailing the roles of Police Gender Units, Family Support Units (FSUs), SARCs, and social welfare agencies.
To reinforce practical skills, officers participated in interactive exercises involving survivor disclosure, risk assessment, documentation, and referral role-plays. Discussions also addressed common response gaps, professional conduct, officer accountability, and strategies for managing secondary trauma and ensuring officer well-being.
The Ogun State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, remains committed to ensuring continuous learning and retraining for command personnel in order to enhance professionalism, align with modern policing standards, and ensure effective protection and service delivery for survivors across the state.
