The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has trained no fewer than 50 Community Licensed Pharmacists on the provision of immediate care and referral services for survivors of domestic violence.

Speaking at the third in the series of training programmes organised by the DSVA, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour- Adeniyi, said the training was necessary for licensed pharmacists to educate them on rendering appropriate medical assistance and support to survivors of domestic abuse.

She noted that community licensed pharmacies have consultation/counselling rooms that can serve as safe spaces for victims of domestic violence who wish to disclose their issues and receive assistance.

A legal practitioner and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence expert, Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, enlightened participants on the relevant laws that regulate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the State whilst giving an overview of the support services available to survivors

In the same vein, Mrs. Atinuke Odukoya, Executive Director of the Centre for Women’s Health in Nigeria, facilitated the session on Gender Roles, Understanding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as well as raising the index of suspicion.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists, Lagos Branch, Pharm. Lawrence Ekhator, has reiterated the Association’s commitment to ensuring that survivors of domestic violence, who present themselves at pharmacies, access holistic care and support through effective referrals.

He, however, urged survivors to take advantage of the Speak to INU initiative and access help from licensed pharmacists within their communities, promising that such cases will be treated confidentially.

Recall that the Lagos State Government had previously launched the Speak to INU (I Need You) code scheme for survivors of domestic violence to access immediate help and support in the comfort of their local community pharmacies.