By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
UYO, The CLEEN Foundation, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has intensified efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law (VAPP Law) in Akwa Ibom State and 12 other states across Nigeria, with a focus on improving access to justice and protection for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The initiative, which features a series of two-day state-level policy dialogues, brings together law enforcement officers, judicial officials, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and social welfare officers to address institutional and operational challenges undermining the effective enforcement of the law. The engagement seeks to move beyond the existence of legislation to ensure that survivors receive timely, coordinated and survivor-centred support.
Stakeholders identified several barriers to effective implementation, including inadequate training for frontline personnel, limited access to official legal provisions and operational guidelines, weak investigations and prosecution, and the diversion of serious offences into informal settlements. They also raised concerns over inadequate forensic facilities, victim-blaming, procedural delays and insufficient funding for Sexual Assault Referral Centres, shelters and legal aid services.
To address these challenges, participants resolved to strengthen the capacity of police officers, judicial personnel and social workers through regular training on trauma-informed responses, investigative procedures and survivors’ rights. They also called for formal referral mechanisms linking police stations, hospitals, legal aid providers and civil society organisations to ensure coordinated assistance for survivors of abuse and other forms of violence.
The dialogue further emphasised the need to improve the use of legal remedies provided under the VAPP Law, including High Court protection orders and appropriate protective measures for minors. Participants also committed to discouraging the informal settlement of serious offences covered by the law, urging traditional rulers and other community leaders to channel such cases through the formal justice system.
The initiative seeks to strengthen institutional accountability and inter-agency collaboration to ensure that the VAPP Law delivers meaningful protection, justice and support to survivors across participating states.
