LACoN, International IDEA Develop New Tools to Help SGBV Survivors Access Justice

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN), a federal body that offers free legal representation to Nigerians, has recently made strides in addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). At a stakeholder workshop held in Abuja, LACoN collaborated with the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme, implemented by International IDEA, to validate new identification guidelines, revised intake forms, and referral pathways.

These tools aim to help LACoN lawyers and officers recognize SGBV cases when clients seek their assistance. The workshop, attended by legal aid practitioners, civil society representatives, and government officials, emphasized the importance of structured tools for identifying SGBV at intake to ensure survivors receive the necessary support.

LACoN Director-General Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar, Esq., expressed concern that without specialized processes, LACoN may overlook signs of abuse and fail to provide essential referrals for survivors. The new guidelines establish a process for screening incoming clients for SGBV, recording crucial information, and connecting survivors with various support services.

These tools prioritize survivor-centered principles, focusing on confidentiality, informed consent, and minimizing re-traumatisation. Nigeria's Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 addresses a range of offenses, but reporting rates remain low in many northern states where equivalent legislation is still in progress. LACoN, operating in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, is uniquely positioned to reach survivors in underserved areas.

By equipping its officers with standardized screening tools, LACoN aims to expand access to justice for SGBV survivors nationwide. International IDEA pledged to collaborate with LACoN in training officers and facilitating the nationwide rollout of these validated tools.