The Role of Law Enforcement in Ending SGBV: Understanding Reporting Procedures and Effective Collaboration
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains a devastating reality for many individuals in Nigeria, cutting across age, class, and region. Survivors often face immense barriers in seeking justice from fear of stigma and retaliation to distrust in the system meant to protect them. Yet, within this landscape of pain and resilience, law enforcement agencies have a critical role to play as protectors, as first responders, and as partners in the pursuit of justice and healing.
This blog post explores how Nigerian law enforcement can respond more effectively to SGBV, the procedures survivors and allies should understand when reporting abuse, and how communities can work collaboratively with police to combat impunity and foster a culture of accountability.
Understanding the Role of Law Enforcement in SGBV Cases
Law enforcement officers are often the first point of contact for survivors of violence. Their response can determine whether a survivor receives justice or suffers further trauma. Their responsibilities in SGBV cases include:
- Taking and recording survivor statements sensitively and confidentially
- Collecting evidence and preserving the crime scene
- Referring survivors to medical, psychosocial, and legal support services
- Arresting and charging perpetrators when there is sufficient evidence
- Ensuring the safety of survivors throughout the investigative process
To fulfill these roles effectively, officers must be trained not just in criminal law, but in trauma-informed care, gender sensitivity, and Nigeria’s legal frameworks like the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act).
Reporting SGBV: What Survivors and Allies Should Know
Knowing how and where to report SGBV is essential. Here’s what to keep in mind:
When to Report
- Immediately after an incident, if it is safe to do so. This helps preserve evidence.
- Even if the incident happened weeks or months ago, you still have the right to report it.
Where to Report
- Visit the nearest police station, preferably one with a Family Support Unit or gender desk officer.
- In Lagos, dial emergency toll-free lines like 767 or 112.
- You can also report to trusted NGOs like WARIF, Mirabel Centre, or Project Alert, which can assist in engaging law enforcement.
What to Expect
When reporting, try to provide:
- Your name and contact information (optional for anonymous tips)
- A clear description of what happened, when, and where
- Names or descriptions of those involved
- Any supporting evidence (e.g., photos, medical records)
Remember: You have the right to be heard, believed, and protected.
Building Trust: How Communities Can Support Better Law Enforcement Response
Communities and law enforcement must work hand in hand to prevent and respond to SGBV. Here’s how we can foster trust and effectiveness:
- Train Officers in Gender Sensitivity: Demand training programs that emphasize empathy, confidentiality, and survivor-centered response.
- Report Misconduct: If an officer refuses to file a report, treats a survivor with disrespect, or asks for a bribe, escalate to higher authorities or report to internal complaints divisions.
- Know Your Rights: Survivors have the right to a translator if needed, to remain silent, and to request a female officer.
- Encourage Community Advocacy: Support local awareness campaigns and community policing initiatives that include SGBV response as a core component.
Conclusion: No Justice Without Action
Addressing SGBV in Nigeria requires more than outrage—it requires action, systems change, and community support. Law enforcement has a duty not only to enforce the law but to do so with compassion, competence, and integrity. Survivors deserve to be believed. They deserve protection. And they deserve justice.
By learning how the system works, demanding accountability, and supporting each other, we can turn fear into courage and silence into strength.
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