RoLAC organizes two day training to address gaps in dispensation of SGBV cases in Adamawa
In order to address some of the critical factors impeding the dispensation of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases in Adamawa State, the Rule of Law II program funded by EU and implemented by the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has organized a two-day training and knowledge sharing workshop on SGBV.
The training was a fallout of the gaps identified by critical stakeholders during a review meeting of the Service Providers Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC) and Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) committees.
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Some of the identified gaps which impede dispensation of SGBV cases according to the findings of the stakeholders include; gaps in understanding the administration of criminal justice amongst service providers and misconceptions about the nature of sexual offences.
Others are; poor evidence presentation, inadequate prosecution efforts and the tendency for parties to settle such cases out of court.
Such issues according to Mr. Amos Yusuf Sunday, Chairman of SPARC are the major stumbling blocks towards justice delivery in SGBV cases.
He thanked RoLAC for its concerns and swift response in proffering solutions to the identified challenges by organizing the training aimed at mitigating the identified gaps.
In her presentation on “understanding SGBV offences” Barrister Kowoabo Takoni chairperson SARC Steering Committee noted that SGBV comes in different forms and shape.
According the different forms of SGBV cases include; sexual violence, physical violence, emotional/psychological violence, economic violence and cultural/traditional practices.
She noted that there are a number of international laws, instruments, conventions and treaties that can be used in dispensing SGBV cases such as CEDAN, DEVAW and Istanbul convention.
She added that there are instruments in Nigeria such as the constitution, VAPP act, criminal code act, penal code act child rights act amongst other instruments that can be used in addressing SGBV cases.
Also in his presentation on legal advice on SGBV, Barrister Ishaq Abdullahi Jada Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) said the office of the DPP is responsible for overseeing public prosecution especially on criminal offenses.
He said some of the responsibilities of the office include, supervising prosecutions, legal advice to the police, case diary review, prosecution of capital offence, and decision making on prosecutions amongst others.
Jada added that the office of the DPP attach premium on SGBV which necessitates fast tracking the process of investigation and synergy with other stakeholders to ensure such cases are dispensed with dispatch.
In her second presentation on lessons learnt and best practices in handling SGBV cases Barrister Kowoabo Takoni said the best practice usually involved the use of research and technology in addressing SGBV cases.
She noted that some of the identified gaps militating the quick dispensation of SGBV include, gaps in knowledge and understanding of administration of criminal justice amongst service providers, misconceptions about the nature of nature of sexual offences, poor evidence, inadequate prosecution efforts, poor reportage and the tendency to settle out of court.
Also dissecting the topic Medical Report Writing and Presentation, Dr. Lot Luka, from Adamawa Specialist Hospital, Yola, noted that the successful prosecution of SGBV cases largely depends on a good medical report.
The medical doctor noted that the purpose of the medical report to assist the court, to enable counsel to prepare a case, to convey information to the judge/court and to assist the security agents amongst others.
Luka noted that a good medical report must be legible, accessible, credible, written in decent language and well structured.
