VAPP Law: Imo Police Partners Civil Society To Stamp Out Gender Based Violence, Sexual Harassment

ThankGod Emeh…

The Police are advised to intensify the fight against sexual harassment and other gender based violence across boards by swiftly arresting, investigating and prosecuting offenders void of sentiments as provided by Imo Violence Against Prohibited Persons, VAPP Law 2021 when abuses are reported to them.

The advise was given by Alliance For Africa, AFA and partners on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the flag-off of a One-Day Training for Police Officers on Imo State VAPP Law (2021) at Protea Hotel, Owerri.

According to the organizers, the programme was aimed at strengthening the capacity of Police officers by equipping them with in-depth knowledge and understanding of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as well as Gender Roles that have stereotyped the conduct, actions and inactions of persons in society even to their detriment.

The organizers who highlighted the VAPP Law 2021 as a legal framework to effectively address, investigate and prosecute cases of GBV, including sexual harassment, added that lessons from the workshop shall help the police “to develop and implement strategies within the police force to improve the support and protection of victims with a focus on enhancing reporting mechanisms and creating a more survivor-centred approach in handling GBV and sexual harassment cases”

In his keynote address, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma said the VAPP Law represents a significant advancement in the Force’s legal framework, aimed at combating violence and safeguarding the rights of every individual in the State hence the full embrace of the command as he charged his officers to live up to the expectations of the law and programme.

“To all participating officers, I urge you to engage fully in today’s training. This program is designed to deepen your understanding of the VAPP LAW and equip you with the tools needed for its effective implementation. The knowledge and skills you gain will be crucial in enhancing our collective ability to combat violence and uphold justice”

CP Danjuma however commended the Civil Society Organizations especially Alliance For Africa, AFA for their “dedication and meticulous planning” which according to him was instrumental in making the initiative possible.

“Your efforts highlight the importance of professional development and demonstrate our shared resolve to address and prevent violence in our community”

Addressing the participants, the Imo VAPP Law Sponsor and former House Member in the state, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe who expressed passion for the law, said the law is a good wind that blows everyone good, so to eliminate all forms of violence against women and men while appealing to the Police to work closely with civil society Organizations to maximize the impact.

L:R: Owerri Area Commander, DCP Michael Abatam, Hon. Amb Uju Onwudiwe and Director State CID, Owerri

Hon. Onwudiwe noted that “the Police must be fully in charge because they need to be passionate and know what is going on in the bill in order to effectively and conclusively prosecute such cases of abuse” hence the overwhelming number of participants delibarately drawn from the hierarchy to the least, while decrying that “the abuse could be anybody tomorrow”

She thanked the civil society for their initiative and training of the Police personnel in best handling methods so to bring all offenders to book.

Emphasizing further on the importance of the training, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) Administrations, Imo state Command, DCP MohammanJoda Barka stated that the workshop was well packaged to broaden the knowledge and understanding of the Police personnel who included Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Investigating Police Officers (IPOs) who handle related cases of gender based violence and sexual harassment.

MohammanJoda Barka

He added that Imo CP Aboki Danjuma has shown capacity and diligence to duties by ensuring that all rape cases brought to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Command are thoroughly handled, investigated and charged to court within time frame.

Speaking also, the Programme Director, Blessing Duru noted that AFA has made progress in arresting cases of GBV while appealing to the Police force to partner with the Organization in providing Desks to handle gender violence.

Duru decried the sentimental options of settlement outside the court, noting that a rapist is a killer who needs no mercy but the full wrath of the law as the crime cuts across all strata of the society.

“Until we continue to send these mad men to prison, Our society, Our society will continue to suffer”, she concluded.

Adding his voice, the Traditional ruler of Umuororonjo Community, Owerri Imo state, Eze Clinton Uboegbulam called on the Police to promptly take up matters of GBV and sexual harassment without much ado, adding that whoever that is liable is guilty of the offence hence investigation should be embarked upon as soon as possible.

Eze Uboegbulam also charged the Police to do away with all forms of sharp settlements outside the legal framework for the offence, stressing that it creates bottlenecks in the course of fighting for justice hence traumatize victims more.

Leading the discuss made up of five interactive sessions, the Chief Resource Person, Mrs Juliet Olumuyiwa dwelt on overview of gender-based violence, consideration of relevant laws as well as ethical considerations in dealing survivors of GBV/VAWG among others.

Mrs Olumuyiwa called on the participants to hold onto the learnings so to stand out in the course of their duties, adding that the VAPP Law is encompassing as it touches all areas of abuse with well spelt out penalties.

She however extolled Imo Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, and Wife, Barrister Chioma Uzodimma, as well as the Sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe who contributed to the passing of the bill while charging the Police officers to ensure speedy attention to abuse cases and as well refer victims to non-abusive adults.

The participants who couldn’t contain their joy for the programme, noted that the workshop is not only germane but an eye opener to guide them into full prosecution of rape, sexual harassment and GBV cases among others.

The highlights of the event which attracted all and sundry was a photoshoot and and award of certificates to the participants.