WACOL Trains Police Officers on Access to Justice for GBV Survivors in Anambra
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has trained police prosecutors and law enforcement officers in Anambra State on effective implementation of laws and policies protecting survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The two-day training, held recently in Awka, was supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, International IDEA, funded by the European Union and implemented by WACOL.
The State Coordinator, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption, Dr Josephine Onah, urged stakeholders to strengthen human rights-based policing, gender-sensitive law enforcement and survivor protection.
A WACOL resource person, Victor Obichukwu emphasised confidentiality, dignity, safety and non-discrimination in handling GBV cases.
He also called for timely trials and effective procedures for receiving complaints, making medical referrals and securing protection orders.
Consultant Professor Sylvester Anya identified stigma, victim-blaming, family pressure and economic dependence on perpetrators as factors discouraging survivors from seeking justice.
He also cautioned against demanding money before receiving complaints and pressuring survivors to settle cases at home.
The training covered existing laws on violence against women and girls, survivor-centred justice, evidence gathering and improved investigation and prosecution methods.
Participants were advised to preserve evidence, protect survivors’ confidentiality and conduct interviews professionally.
A training manual was presented to guide officers in handling GBV and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases, with a communiqué outlining follow-up actions and recommendations.
