As part of measures towards reducing incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence (DSVA) has organised a two-day training programme for Medical Social Workers in Lagos.
The training was to further equip medical social workers with skills for reporting, enhancing psycho-social support and integrating SGBV responses into the Health facilities, was held recently at the LCCI Hall in Ikeja, Lagos
In her welcome, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, highlighted the training’s objective to enhance participants’ capacity to offer psycho-social support and integrate SGBV response into the health sector. She emphasised that the training presented an opportunity to dispel prevalent myths surrounding SGBV.
Vivour-Adeniyi revealed that participants were drawn from all over the State to build capacity, enabling them to acquire the knowledge of psychosocial support.
She emphasised the need for medical workers to be survivor-centred, holistically and professionally in discharging their duties and providing psycho-social support.
The facilitators, Dr. Victoria Omoera gave a presentation on “Understanding of SGBV and the Concept of Psychological Trauma”, while Mrs. Juliet Olumuyiwa Rufai spoke on “Stress and Psychological Trauma & Ethics in Providing PSS to Survivors of SGBV”.
Dr. Funmilayo Akinola presented a paper on “Assessing and Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Survivors, and Caring for Caregivers” and Mrs. Joy Shokoya spoke on “Responding to the PSS Needs of Survivours Trauma Counselling”.