Lagos begins rehabilitation programme for sex offenders

LAGOS State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, ( DSVA) has began psycho- social support for willing sex offenders to curb sexual and gender- based violence in the society.

The sex rehabilitation programme is done in partnership with the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command and the Institute of Counselling of Nigeria. It is aimed at mitigating the risk of recidivism by sex offenders.

Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola VivourAdeniyi, said it was imperative that incarcerated adult sex offenders are rehabilitated and supported to reduce the possibility of them perpetrating the same crime if eventually they are reintegrated into the society.

She stressed that providing psycho- social support was in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu’s commitment and resolve to provide holistic response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the state.

According to her, the programme, which is held in sessions and groups is facilitated by a group of trained Psychologists from DSVA and the Institute of Counseling on a weekly basis, where inmates are expected to take responsibilities for their actions and enlightened on healthy sexuality.

“Furthermore, inmates are also armed with peer and professional support to manage thoughts, feelings and behaviours that lead to inappropriate sexual conducts.

“The inmates would also learn specialised strategies to deal with sexual addiction and sexual compulsive behaviours, amongst many other positive coping skills.

“Whilst the rehabilitation programme does not offer amnesty or excuse abusive acts, it seeks to reduce any reoccurrence of child sexual abuse and rape cases from sex convicts in future,” she noted.

The rehabilitation programme is targeted at convicts from the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri Apapa and Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Ikoyi .

Recall that Lagos State Government has continued to reiterate its commitment to winning the war against domestic and sexual violence.

The state also encourages victims and survivors of these heinous crimes to take advantage of its support ervices, which can be accessed via its toll free line- 08000333- 333.