The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has introduced two innovations aimed at enhancing access to support services for survivors and mandated reporters.

One of them is a Self-Reporting Tool, which “also allows users to upload crucial evidence, including pictures, audio or video recordings, and medical reports.”

The DSVA’s Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, announced this in a statement signed by the agency’s Head Public Affairs Unit, Adejoke Ladenegan-Oginni.

In the statement published on X, Adeniyi said the initiatives aligned with the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to providing holistic support and justice for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

“The first innovation, Ask INU (I Need You), is a WhatsApp-based AI chat box designed to provide immediate information and referrals,” she said,

She noted that by simply sending a message to a phone number on WhatsApp, users can access timely, confidential, and accurate information about available support services.

“This tool ensures that survivors and those assisting them are empowered with critical knowledge of the resources at their disposal, ” she said.

The DSVA boss noted that the agency also launched a Self-Reporting Tool via the Domestic and Sexual Violence Case Management System.

“This tool also allows users to upload crucial evidence, including pictures, audio or video recordings, and medical reports.

“Strengthening evidence collection and preservation is a vital step in ensuring swift and effective justice.

“This intervention is particularly significant, considering that about 60 per cent 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 when investigations commence or whenever they are ready to seek justice.”