CHHELD attends a Training of CSOs and Local Communities on The Provisions of Rivers State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law 2020 Organized by British Councils EU-ACT Program, At Aldgate Congress & Resort, GRA, Port Harcourt. 31st March, 2022.

It was a training of CSOs to increase the awareness and implementation of the VAPP Law 2020. To break the culture of silence around VAP/GBV and increase reporting. Also change values, belief systems, attitudes, behaviors and practices of individuals, communities and institutions to GBV as a crime. The training was for sensitization and to ensure survivors GBV access to timely, adequate and appropriate support services. Mrs Obiageli Celestina Oraka-Oifoghe defined violence as a deliberate act to cause harm and fear to a person or group of persons. With the VAPP Law, even an attempt to commit violence is punishable by law. State based violence, state sponsored violence and violence by personnel of the state such as police brutality is punishable by the law. It was also established that there is an increasing cases of sexual violence against men as well as women in work places, schools etc. The VAPP Law has provision for sex offender’s record and for persons convicted more than once, such a person becomes categorized as a dangerous sex offender.

The law punishes political thuggery as Violence against persons. The law also prohibits attempt to deny justice to victims of violence either by coercion or persuasion. VAPP law frowns against abandonment of children or child’s responsibility as a result of quarrel or separation from a spouse. The VAPP Law provides for protection officers, sex offenders register, implementation officers, safe home at Borokiri and a temporary accommodation to help those endangered to move away from the environment of abuse until they are able to complete the documentations for admission into the safe homes. The VAPP Law also spells out the role of CSOs in the fight against violence, the need to register with the ministry of Social Welfare so as to be recognized as a service provider as stated in the VAPP Law. CSOs are encouraged to document cases of sexual violence, get registered and acquitted with the VAPP Law even before you have a case of abuse to handle, as this will already have you prepared ahead of time.

Group Picture of Participants of the VAPP Training Program Organized by British Councils EU-ACT Program.
A Cross Section of Participants at the VAPP Law Training Program.
Mrs Obiageli Celestina Oraka-Oifoghe making a Presentation during the training program.
CHHELD Staff Making Contributions during the training Program.

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