By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), in partnership with the Lagos State Police Command, has upgraded five additional Police Divisions into Family Support Units (FSUs) as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s response to domestic and sexual violence.
This was disclosed on the official Facebook page of the Lagos State Government on Tuesday, 8 September 2026.
According to the statement, the newly upgraded FSUs are located in Isheri, Idimu, Meiran, Ijesha and Iju (Red House), with officers from the units, alongside officers from the Gender Desk of the Police Command, participating in a two-day capacity-building programme organised by DSVA from September 3 to 4, 2026, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa-Ikeja.
As part of the upgrading process, 24 newly designated officers of the Family Support Units were trained on best practices for the investigation and prosecution of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, with the training aimed at strengthening evidence gathering, reporting, investigation and inter-agency collaboration.
The training featured technical presentations, case studies, interactive discussions and practical exercises covering the guiding principles of SGBV response, human rights and legal frameworks, police reporting standards, and handling cases involving women, men and children.
It also covered medical and forensic reports, forensic evidence, investigative practices, and referral pathways and services available to survivors across Lagos State.
Facilitators comprised professionals with expertise in law enforcement, medicine, criminal justice, prosecution and survivor support, including the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi; DSP Kenneth Emegwamor Okafor (Retired); Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo; Mr Babajide Boye; and the Head of Case Management at DSVA, Mrs Oluwatuminimu Oni.
In her remarks, Vivour-Adeniyi commended officers serving in the Family Support Units and Gender Desks for their commitment to protecting survivors and supporting access to justice, emphasising that professional and effective investigation remains critical to ensuring accountability, strengthening public confidence and improving outcomes for survivors.
Participants were equipped with practical approaches to survivor engagement through the RE-S-PONSE framework, which stands for Respect, Empathy, Supportiveness, Positivity, Openness and Non-judgemental conduct.
The training also covered child sexual abuse investigations, child-friendly interviewing, preservation of evidence, forensic medical examinations, interpretation of medical reports and timely referrals.
The programme highlighted the importance of collaboration among law enforcement, healthcare providers, prosecutors and other service providers, with participants sensitised to state services including Sexual Assault Referral Centres, shelters, healthcare, psychosocial support and legal assistance.
At the conclusion of the training, participants called for sustained capacity building for law enforcement officers and stronger legal protection against threats or intimidation directed at parents of sexually abused children.
