DSVA CONDUCTS TRAINING FOR MEDIA PRACTITIONERS
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As part of efforts towards curbing the menace of sexual and gender-based violence in the state, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has advocated a change in mindset and reportage of domestic and sexual violence crimes in the media.
The Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi stated this at a One-Day training on Investigating and Reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence organised by the Agency for media practitioners drawn from the various media houses and online media platforms held at the LCCI Conference Centre on Thursday.
According to her, “There is a need to build the ability of the media to report Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases in a more gender-sensitive approach”.
She emphasised the need to use the right choice of words while reporting, especially for headlines, stressing that this is of utmost importance in sending a deterrence message rather than using overly sensationalisation statements in reporting Domestic and Sexual violence cases.
Vivour-Adeniyi reiterated the fact that the media serve as a powerful disseminator of information, and therefore holds a crucial role in shaping perceptions, influencing attitudes, and catalysing societal change.
She said, “Media practitioners serve as the conduits through which stories are told, truths are uncovered, and voices are amplified. Yet, with this profound influence comes a weighty responsibility – a responsibility to uphold the principles of ethical journalism, to safeguard the dignity of survivours, and to foster a culture of empathy, understanding, and accountability”.
Also speaking, the Director of Administration, Centre for Women’s Health and Information, Atinuke Odukoya said the training was critical because it would help media practitioners become more informed about the intricacies of Gender-Based Violence, nuances as well as the different forms of violence. This is in addition to the challenges victims and survivors experience in their quest for justice.
Odukoya, who said that all hands must be on deck to fight the dehumanisation and molestation of girls and women in society, urged the media personnel to see themselves as duty bearers, adding that we must all play our role if we are to rid the vicious menace out of our society.
On his part, the Head of the Community Engagement Department, DSVA, Damilare Adewusi informed the participants of the various support services the State Government provides freely for the victims, ranging from medical, legal services, empowerment, psycho-social support, and law enforcement services.
He further noted that the zero-tolerance stance by the State government is to ensure that all crimes must be subjugated, and survivours get Justice for crimes perpetrated against them.
A handbook for media practitioners on Best Practices for Reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence was given to the media representatives at the event.
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