The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has held counseling and healing group therapy sessions for over 50 male perpetrators of domestic violence.
Speaking on the programme, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour Adeniyi said the objective of the intervention was hinged on the psychosocial wellness of the citizenry in the State following the alarming increase of sexual and gender-based violence cases according to the research result conducted by the Agency.
She said the support and healing group session was to psychoeducate the perpetrators on better ways to manage their emotions when triggered.
Vivour-Adeniyi revealed that research showed that most perpetrators were victims of similar traumas as children and there was a need to help the perpetrators heal from their childhood traumas that may have contributed to their abusive behaviour in adulthood
She further stressed that the sessions would make perpetrators accountable, and ensure they take responsibility for their actions instead of blaming their victims.
The ES averred that the session would also assist perpetrators in unlearning unhealthy negative coping skills that have led to violence in the past and equip them with healthy coping skills to manage their anger, communicate effectively and maintain peaceful and harmonious relationships
Vivour-Adeniyi assured that the sessions would continue, especially for survivors who were desirous of remaining in the relationship but wanted the abuse to stop.
Recall that the sessions, which commenced on the 10th of June 2023, were done on weekly bases for eight weeks. At the end of the programme, the participants expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government for the initiative.
