Lagos Unveils Child Sexual Abuse Protocol to Strengthen Justice for Victims
By SpringnewsNG Media Limited August 15,2925
The Lagos State Government has introduced the Child Sexual Abuse Investigative and Interview Protocol, a landmark framework designed to enhance justice delivery and protection for children who have suffered sexual abuse.
Unveiled on Wednesday in Lagos, the initiative was described by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, as a vital step in safeguarding children’s rights and dignity within the justice system.
Pedro praised the collaboration of partners including the Cece Yara Foundation and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme, noting that the protocol will ensure abused children’s accounts are handled with care, accuracy, and professionalism.
“This protocol is vital for our children because when a child speaks about abuse, their words must be taken seriously. Their experiences should be handled with the utmost sensitivity to ensure that justice is served without further harm,” Pedro said.
Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, CEO of the Cece Yara Foundation, said the launch fulfilled a vision conceived at the organisation’s inception, pointing out that inadequate forensic interviewing in the past often led to secondary trauma and miscarriages of justice.
Founder of the Cece Yara Foundation, Mrs Bola Tinubu, described the protocol as “a voice for children,” stressing that the foundation was created to ensure children are heard, protected, and given the justice they deserve.
