The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is seeking to address gaps in the identification of sexual and gender-based violence cases, particularly those that go undisclosed when survivors seek legal assistance for other matters.
Revised client intake forms and new guidelines are expected to help legal aid providers recognise signs of abuse and connect survivors to appropriate support.
This was the focus of a stakeholder validation workshop on strengthening Nigeria’s legal aid response to sexual and gender-based violence, held in Abuja.
At the workshop, participants reviewed the revised criminal and civil intake forms and guidelines for identifying sexual and gender-based violence.
Participants noted that survivors sometimes approach legal aid providers over matrimonial disputes, child custody, maintenance and inheritance without disclosing experiences of abuse, often due to fear of retaliation, stigma, trauma or economic dependence.
In a message delivered on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the ministry reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening a coordinated response to gender-based violence, including improved prosecution and harmonised standards across justice sector institutions.
The exercise, organised in partnership with International IDEA under a European Union-funded programme, also focuses on confidentiality, informed consent and data protection.
The tools are expected to guide legal aid officers and pro bono service providers.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
