Lagos launches digital lifelines for domestic violence survivors

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) on Monday unveiled two innovative tools designed to provide immediate help and preserve crucial evidence. This is a lifeline for those often silenced by fear and circumstance.

One of these tools, Ask INU (I Need You), is a WhatsApp-based AI chatbot that offers instant information and referrals. With just a simple message, survivors and those helping them can access timely, confidential, and accurate guidance on available support services.

Imagine a woman, trapped in an abusive relationship, afraid to speak out loud but desperate for help. Now, all she needs is her phone, a quiet text to Ask INU, and the information she needs is right there, discreet and safe.

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The second innovation is the Self-Reporting Tool, a feature of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Case Management System. This tool allows survivors to upload and store critical evidence like pictures, audio recordings, video clips, and medical reports: a game-changer in the fight for justice.

“This intervention is particularly significant,” said Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, DSVA’s Executive Secretary in a post on X. “About 60% of survivors who originally had pictorial, documentary, or audio evidence of abuse either misplace it, accidentally or voluntarily delete it, or have their devices destroyed by their abusive partners. With this portal, survivors can securely store and retrieve their evidence whenever they are ready to seek justice.”

The importance of preserving this evidence cannot be overstated. In many cases, it’s the difference between justice served and justice denied. The self-reporting platform ensures that even when survivors aren’t ready to speak out immediately, their proof remains intact, waiting for the moment they find their strength.

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