The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, a sub department of the state Ministry of Justice, has warned against false domestic and sexual violence accusations by citizens.
This was disclosed in an interview with PUNCH Metro on Thursday, by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.
Vivour-Adeniyi deplored false accusations and statements by complainants, warning that the agency would always conduct investigations before seeking justice in the court of law. She said the Lagos State Domestic Violence Law stipulates that false statements attract three years imprisonment.
“If a person did not experience domestic or sexual violence, such a person is not a victim. We are also not oblivious of the fact that some people will want to take advantage of the way and manner we address the issue. That is why an allegation is an allegation, it is not proven until an investigation is done.
“That is the essence of the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies, and health providers, to interrogate such an allegation to ensure there is corroboration. In case a sexual violence case is reported, investigation will be conducted, medical evidence must also be gathered, the survivor will be contacted for medical evaluation to find out if there is any penetration.
“The police do investigation too, and if there is evidence, and they are able to establish the accusation is true, the case is charged to court. Making a false statement, that is, alleging what was not done attracts three years imprisonment,” she said.
