The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Police Command, has upgraded five additional police divisions into Family Support Units (FSUs) to strengthen the state’s response to domestic and sexual violence.
The newly upgraded units are located in Isheri, Idimu, Meiran, Ijesha and Iju (Red House).
Officers from the units, alongside members of the Gender Desk of the Lagos State Police Command, underwent a two-day capacity-building programme organised by the DSVA from September 3 to 4, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa-Ikeja.
The training focused on best practices for investigating and prosecuting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, with emphasis on evidence gathering, reporting, investigation and inter-agency collaboration.
A total of 24 police officers from the newly upgraded units and the Police Command’s Gender Desk participated in the programme.
The training featured technical presentations, case studies, interactive discussions and practical exercises covering SGBV response principles, human rights and legal frameworks, police reporting standards, handling cases involving women, men and children, medical and forensic reports, forensic evidence, investigative practices, and referral pathways for survivors.
Facilitators included DSVA Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi; retired DSP Kenneth Emegwamor Okafor; Dr Oluyajimi Sodipo; Babajide Boye; and Oluwatumininu Oni, Head of Case Management at the DSVA.
Vivour-Adeniyi commended officers serving in the Family Support Units and Gender Desks for their commitment to protecting survivors and improving access to justice.
She stressed that professional and effective investigations were essential to ensuring accountability, building public confidence and improving outcomes for survivors.
Participants were also trained on survivor engagement using the RE-S-PONSE framework, which promotes respect, empathy, supportiveness, positivity, openness and non-judgemental conduct.
The programme further covered child sexual abuse investigations, child-friendly interviewing, evidence preservation, forensic medical examinations, interpretation of medical reports and timely referrals.
The DSVA said the initiative also underscored the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, prosecutors and other service providers.
Participants were sensitised to available state services, including Sexual Assault Referral Centres, shelters, healthcare facilities, psychosocial support and legal assistance.
At the end of the training, participants called for sustained capacity building for law enforcement officers and stronger legal protection for parents of sexually abused children who face threats or intimidation.