The Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Gender Matters, Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana has reiterated government’s resolve to ensure all forms of domestic violence is reduced to it’s barest minimum while perpetrators are also brought to book in accordance with the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) Act.
Chief Falana made this assertion during a visit to a victim of domestic violence in hospital after an incident at oda town, Akure South local government area.
According to the Special Adviser, the state has been maintaining zero tolerance for domestic violence cases and would not relent at ensuring that the approach is sustained.
“There is a rising record of domestic violence occurrences in the state, several cases are being reported daily, while some are repressed due to a number of factors”
Falana said, “Ondo State is a place where we do not take lightly the issues of protection of lives and property of individuals and that is why the state is one of the first to have a dedicated Agency against Gender-based violence in the country.
“The government has also made efforts to ensure we have the right personnel to handle the mission of purging the society of overbearing individuals causing harm to the family units and loved ones”.
Falana stressed that Gender-based violence is not women-based violence, noting that “the by-laws that exist are bounding to both male and female as records show that women can sometimes be the ones to instigate violence and there are laws that serve as guide for both the man and woman against any form of abuse, men should also know that the women can be prosecuted likewise”
“It is important for women and men to learn to speak out whenever there are incidences of abuse. It is true that alot of things occur in women leading to psychological abuse in men, but the agency also has counsellors who can orientate husbands and wives which would go a long way in enabling amicable resolutions in the home front”
The Special Adviser emphasized that people must seek alternative means of conflict resolutions, especially in the home front.
“Men and women must understand that the resolve to inflict violence on another is not excusable and the use of it would not be condoned in Ondo State. Violence Against Person’s Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Agency for Gender-based violence are in place to serve as protection for victimized individuals.
“Perpetrators are called to desist from such acts and people must learn to speak out either female or male so as to allow peace and sanity in the society”
The Special Adviser on Gender Matters, Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana alongside a team from the state’s Agency against Gender-based violence paid an advocacy visit to office of the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo regarding the domestic violence case.
Falana narrated the ugly incidence of wife battery with the use of a machete by her husband which was recently brought to her notice and led to the victim being hospitalized.
She advocated that due investigation be carried out so that justice be served to the culprit.
She added that the Commissioner of police should look into cases whereby culprits use influence of high ranking personalities to gain freedom after being apprehended and likewise speak with officers in charge to be dispassionate as possible not to allow sacred cows go untouched.
Responding, the Police boss, Abayomi Oladipo said it is the duty of security agencies to ensure domestic violence is reduced to the barest minimum in line with the efforts of the judiciary.
In his words , “It is no longer a fashionable case on actions like these and nobody is above the law. Most of these groups are unrepentant. They inflict physical and psychological injuries and even cause death. People should join the collective effort by speaking out so as to also prevent children from becoming destitutes”.
“We shall continue to interface and support the Agency against Gender-based violence” he said.
Debbie Funmilayo
Press Officer (SA on Gender Matters )
