LAGOS DOMESTIC, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGENCY HOLDS PARENTS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE ON CHILD PROTECTION
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, has organised a Parents’ Association Conference on Safeguarding and Child Protection held recently at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa-Ikeja.
Speaking at the one-day interactive programme which attracted over 400 parents, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titillola Vivour-Adeniyi, stated the engagement was designed to enlighten participants on Child Abuse, signs to look out for, parenting skills, directions for reporting and handling disclosures of abuse and their role as Mandated Reporters as part of measures to find a lasting solution to cases of domestic and sexual abuse in the State
Vivour-Adeniy said, “We have engaged various stakeholders in the fight against domestic violence and we want to ensure parents are not left out or left behind but are being empowered with the relevant skill-set and information to boost their parental skills to prevent Sexual and Domestic Violence cases proactively.”
“We want parents to know these cases are prevalent and not be in denial, as we assure them that in events of SGBV cases, there will be Justice for Survivors and to also let them differentiate between discipline and child abuse. We are also informing parents that perpetrators of these crimes will be made to face the full wrath of the offences irrespective of their relationship with the survivor.
“Thus, we call for a more hands-on role, bonding with their children, loving and befriending them too. We believe this engagement will be very impactful, especially, in stemming the growing trend of rape culture in primary and secondary schools across the State”, Vivour-Adeniyi asserted.
The Director-General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, lauded DSVA for putting the programme together to sensitise, promote and ensure the safeguarding of children.
Seriki-Ayeni, represented by the Director of Planning and Research and Statistics, Mr. Remi Abdul, advised parents that when the issue of child abuse happens at home they should endeavour not to sweep them under the carpet as it is pertinent and of utmost importance to report cases of Abuse.
Mr. Akanbi Olatunbosun Ganiu, Chairman of Parents Forum, Ifako, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government and Lagos DSVA for organising the programme, assuring that the information acquired would be cascaded to all the members of their parents’ associations.
Ronke Oyelakin, the State Coordinator of the Bimbo Odukoya foundation and the Child Protection Network averred that parents were equipped to safeguard children and ensure the child’s development.
Kingsley Obum-Egbulem, a facilitator noted that abuse starts from the home, and many adults come from an abusive background, stressing that government should embark on sustained enlightenment campaigns even as he encouraged abusers to receive the help they need through the referral pathway the social system proffers.
