WACOL Trains Anambra Police on GBV, Warns Against Victim-Blaming, Forced Settlements

By Praise Chinecherem

The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has trained police prosecutors and law enforcement officers in Anambra State on handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases and improving survivors’ access to justice.

The two-day training, held recently in Awka, focused on strengthening human rights-based policing, effective law enforcement and the protection of survivors’ rights.

The programme was supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of International IDEA, funded by the European Union and implemented by WACOL.

Speaking at the training, the State Coordinator of RoLAC, Dr Josephine Onah, urged stakeholders to adopt gender-sensitive policing and strengthen mechanisms for protecting survivors.

WACOL resource person, Victor Obichukwu, emphasised confidentiality, dignity, safety and non-discrimination in handling GBV cases. He also called for timely trials, effective complaint procedures, medical referrals and access to protection orders.

Consultant Professor Sylvester Anya identified stigma, victim-blaming, family pressure and financial dependence on perpetrators as major barriers to justice.

He cautioned against demanding money before receiving complaints and pressuring survivors to settle abuse cases privately within their families.

The training covered laws protecting women and girls, survivor-centred justice, evidence preservation, and improved investigation and prosecution methods. Participants were urged to 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, alongside a communiqué outlining recommendations and follow-up actions.

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