DEFINITION OF TERMS

▪ ADVOCACY: Advocacy is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal; targeted at influencing decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions.

▪ VIOLENCE: Violence can be defined as abehaviour involving physical force intendedto abuse, injure, hurt, damage or killsomeone or something.

▪ Documentation: This refers to anycommunicable material that is used todescribe, explain or instruct.

▪ REPORTING: This is the act of givingaccount or statement in details of anevent, situation etc, based onobservation, a narrative or inquiry.

▪ MONITORING: Monitoring is thesystematic process of observing,tracking and recording activities ordata for the purpose of measuringprogram or project implementationand its progress towards achievingobjectives.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK AGAINST VIOLENCE

In Nigeria there are several enactmentagainst violence:

  1. a.Violence Against Persons Act, 2015:This Act prohibits the offence of rape,forced economic dependence,violence against property etc.
  2. Criminal Code Act : This Act containsprovisions on violence against personsand tags it assault and battery.
  3. Penal Code also proscribes violenceagainst person.
  4. Several laws at states level.

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK:

  1. The Convention Against Torture, Inhuman & Degrading Treatment (CAT)
    • The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
    • Magna Carta, et cetera.
    • UDHR
    • ICESCP and ICCPR
    • The Yogyakarta Principles (2007)

VARIOUS FORMS OF VIOLENCE

The various forms of violence that membersof key Populations can suffer from are;

  1.  Intimate Partner Violence
  2.  Gender Based Violence
  3.  Work Place Violence
  4.  Violence Based on SexualOrientation/Identity.
  5.  Intra-community Violence
  6.  Economic Violence
  7.  Torture/Extra-Judicial Killings
  8. Sexual Violence
  9.  Medical Violence Against IntersexPersons
  10.  Hate speeches, verbal abuse, namecalling, hate mail, obscene telephonecalls, teasing & Incitement to Violence
  11.  Raid by law enforcement officers
  12.  Unlawful detention
  13.  Religious violence and exorcism
  14.  Forced medical examination
  15. Self harm
  16.  Arbitrary & unlawful invasion of privacy
  17.  Ill treatment & receiving lesser treatment/services
  18.  Outing & threatening to Out a Person.
  19. Forced Eviction & Expulsion
  20.  Emotional Abuse
  21. Cyber bullying
  22.  Murder
  23. Violence by customers
  24. Strip searching & Demand for Free Sex
  25. Blackmail and Extortion

PERSONS & GROUPS MOST VULNERABLE TOVIOLENCE

  1.  Gays
  2.  Lesbians
  3.  Bi-sexuals
  4.  Trans persons
  5.  Intersex persons
  6.  Sex workers
  7.  Drug users
  8.  Women & men
  9.  Boy & girls

ESSENCE OF ADVOCACY

An advocate is a torch-bearer forthe less privileged persons andmembers of key population, with the aim toeffect economic improvement,social safety, better legislations,policy reform, enhanced and KPfriendly health care serviceprovision. A Social workers mustcontinue be the voice of thevoiceless in order to achieve socialjustice in society.

WHERE & WHEN TO ADVOCATE

  1.  At meetings with government functionaries &stake holders.
  2.  During social events such as dinner & cocktailparties
  3.  Through press releases and conferences,publications, Letters, Petitions, articles, books& documentaries.
  4.  Demonstrations, protests & rallies.
  5.  Via social media: facebook, blogs, tweeter,emails etc.
  6.  Through lobbying and community involvement.
  7.  Through Public Interest litigation.

HOW TO ADVOCATE

Before you start advocacy on any issue, makesure you;

  1. Have your facts,
    • Know how to use your facts,
    • Have clear, direct and concise message
    • Form allies and formidable networks,
    • Involve the public,
    • You must be bold
    • Show appreciation.
    • Do not give up until you achieve your goal.

HOW TO DOCUMENT VIOLENCE

  1.  Data collation and documentation
  2.  Research and publications
  3.  Focused group discussions andreports
  4.  Shadow reports
  5.  Documentaries
  6.  Short films and narratives
  7.  Periodic publications
  8.  Reporting to Law EnforcementAgents

DOCUMENTATION TOOLS

The following tools are necessary for properdocumentation of violence as a advocates;

  1. Diaries
    • Files
    • Consent forms
    • Client Intake forms
    • Case Activity Reporting Forms
    • Case Resolution Forms
    • Cameras and CDs
    • Online forms and storage facilities, ie,google forms, google photos.

HOW TO REPORT VIOLENCE

  1.  Always report violence to lawenforcement agents stressing thefact that they have a mandate toprotect lives and property. That way you move them to action.
  2.  Report incidence of rape as soon aspossible and do not wash off orchange the clothes of the victimbefore reporting, so vital evidenceis not destroyed.

WHY DO WE DOCUMENT VIOLENCE

We document violence for the following reasons;

  1. For informed programming & implementation
    1. Strategic community engagement
    1. For community mobilization/solidarity
    1. For enhancement of the Health Rights of KPs
    1. For policy change
    1. For capacity building
    1. For trauma Management
    1. To send warning signals to members of thecommunity and the public

NAVIGATING RELEVANT AUTHORITIES

  1.  The Police
  2.  The Ministry of Justice
  3.  Legal Aid Council
  4.  FIDA
  5.  Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
  6.  The National Human Rights Commission
  7.  The Public Complaints Commission
  8.  The African Commission on Human &Peoples Rights
  9.  Treaty Bodies

BEST PRACTICES

 In Nigeria, we draw attention to theissue of violence. Subtle, firm & consistent advocacy ofLGBTQI advocates at the AfricanCommission. We portray the issue underinsurgency, terrorism, cultism and robbery to force the police into swiftaction.

 We petition to the Commissioner of Police demanding toknow how such cases were handled.

 For gender based violence, we do apetition to the IGP, copy the Senateand House of Rep Committee onWomen Affairs and The Minister ofWomen Affairs, who will all bring theirweight to bear against the assailant.

 Make clear that everyone may beaffected directly or indirectly. Although,it may take years for us to begin to make progress.