Agency enlists judges in campaign against domestic violence

Forum 7 months ago

Agency enlists judges in campaign against domestic violence

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has joined calls against domestic and sexual violence in the state.

Speaking at the Lagos State High Court Osborne at the adorning of judges and magistrates of the Family Courts and the Domestic and Sexual Offences Courts with purple ribbons, in commemoration of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, on Tuesday, Justice Alogba called on judges and magistrates of the courts to be apostles of the fight against domestic and sexual violence.

“I would like us to become apostles of this fight against this heinous crime because as I have always said, once you debase a lady, you have dehumanised society. The scar will always be there. It will impact even children and the trend will continue,” he said.

He added, “That is a reason we must not relent in our efforts to fight against this menace, not only in our official capacities but where we see something, please say something and encourage anyone experiencing abuse in any form to speak out because these crimes thrive in the cover, which we give it in the name of cultural habits.

“Reporting perpetrators and ensuring they are prosecuted and dealt with by the law will help in eradicating the scourge.”

The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, thanked the judges and magistrates for the opportunity to adorn judicial officers with purple crests which symbolise domestic violence awareness.

“It is undoubtedly on record that the Lagos State judiciary is the first state in Nigeria to designate specialised courts for the adjudication of Domestic and Sexual Violence Offences. This is just one of the many firsts of the Lagos State judiciary,” she said.