The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) recently concluded a two-day training for 30 Campus Ambassadors at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED).
This is in a bid to further leverage education as a tool for the prevention of all forms of abuse,
Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Executive Secretary of DSVA, speaking on the training which took place at the LASUED Library, said the newly trained LASUED Campus Ambassadors would act as first responders of sexual and gender-based violence on the campus.
She pointed out the importance of addressing the SGBV menace which was to emphasise the State Government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating SGBV on campuses and how crucial their roles are in the process. “It is our hope that this initiative would spur peer learning and peer accountability, and it would also encourage the bystander culture of students being responsive in precarious situations, especially on campus”, Vivour-Adeniyi added.
The Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Rilwan Dawodu, who represented the Vice Chancellor, appreciated the DSVA team for bringing the initiative to LASUED, noting that it will stem the tide of the menace to the barest minimum and also pleaded with the DSVA team to also extend the initiative to their other campus located at Epe.
Before the first discourse, a pre-test was conducted to ascertain the knowledge of participants on issues of SGBV.
Damilare Adewusi, Head, Community Engagement, Lagos DSVA, explained the existing State Laws and policies of SGBV and took participants on the Dos and don’ts while interfacing with Survivors.
Ms. Kafayat Salami, Community Engagement Officer, DSVA, explained the psychological first aid, emphasising that the use of empathic words, emotional intelligence and educating survivors on the various support services accessible at the Agency was sacrosanct
Mr. Tobi Ikudayisi, Community Engagement Officer, DSVA, enlightened the participants on the overview of SGBV where he listed the various forms of abuse, the myths about rape and sexual harassment as well as the psychological effects of SGBV.
Dr. Bola Elegbede, the Director of SGBV LASUED Response Team appreciated the DSVA team for bringing the initiative to LASUED and gave assurance that the training would be beneficial to all.
Certificates of participation were thereafter presented to the participants by the DSVA team.
