The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has trained 50 medical social workers and commenced a separate training programme for doctors and other healthcare workers on the prevention and management of sexual assault cases.
The training, organised in partnership with the state Ministry of Health and the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, is aimed at strengthening the capacity of health workers to provide psychosocial, clinical and forensic support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Public Affairs Officer of the DSVA, Onadipe Opebere, and made available to The PUNCH on Wednesday.
According to the statement, 50 medical social workers drawn from health facilities across the state underwent one-day training on September 3, with emphasis on providing appropriate psychosocial support to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
It said the training focused on active listening, empathy and a survivor-centred approach, noting that medical social workers were often among the first points of contact for survivors entering the healthcare system.
