By CHIOMA OBINNA
With research showing that domestic violence occurs every 10 minutes in homes, a woman activist has called for speedy trial of perpetrators of gender-based violence, saying it is the key strategy to reducing the menace in the society.

In the views of the Legal Officer  of the Ajegunle Community Project, ACP, Barrister Olufunmilayo Medinat Adeniyi, unless agencies including the Nigerian Police Force charged with the responsibility to institute legal proceedings against perpetrators of gender-based violence show more commitment most gender-based violence cases may never be pursued to a logical conclusion.

She said: “Many cases of gender violence have been swept under the carpet due to the unwillingness of both the affected parties and some officials of the law enforcement agencies to prosecute suspects.

She regretted that unfortunately, all have however been to the detriment of victims most of whom suffer in silence without getting any justice, while the perpetrators go about their businesses freely.”

Adeniyi posited that considering the impact of these negative activities on health and the general wellbeing of victims, bringing perpetrators of gender -based violence to justice and putting the issues on the front-burner would not only reduce the menace but serves as a deterrent to others intending to carry out such dastardly acts.

She said: They can no longer be swept under the carpet, therefore, the Nigerian Police Force and other enforcement agencies charged with the responsibility to institute legal proceedings against perpetrators have to show more commitment by establishing cases as well as ensure that they are pursued to a logical conclusion.

Delivering her paper at a one-day Sensitisation & Enlightenment Seminar on Domestic Violence Law enacted by the Lagos State Government the ACP Legal Officer,  who  explained that the seminar was organised for social service providers and law enforcement agents to enlightened them on their responsibilities on the  Lagos State Law on Gender – Based violence said: “The snail-speed at which the few legal proceedings instituted against perpetrators of gender violence are executed, have introduced a lot of frustrations on parties, sometimes compelling them to withdraw.

Corroborating her views, the Executive Director, ACP, Mrs Olusola Akai urged the police and other law enforcement agents to work in line with the guidelines of the Domestic Violence Law of Lagos State and ensure justice for victims. “The rights of a woman should not be violated”, she stated.