DPP launches specialised training to speed up defilement cases
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has launched Specialised training to strengthen justice for child victims of defilement in a bid to bolster justice for child victims of sexual violence.
According to a report issued on Monday, August 4, 2025, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) spearheaded the specialised training program for at least 30 prosecutors handling defilement cases.
You might also like
“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, today opened a specialised training session for 30 prosecutors focused on enhancing the prosecution of defilement cases,” DPP said.
Similarly, the program, which, according to DPP, is facilitated by Director of Public Prosecution Renson Ingonga, is also supported by the 160 Girls Project. Likewise, the ODPP revealed that the initiative is aimed at strengthening prosecution capacity and ensuring more effective handling of such sensitive cases.
“The initiative, supported by the 160 Girls Project, underscores the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (ODPP) commitment to delivering effective and efficient justice, particularly for child victims of sexual violence,” DPP explained.
DPP role in prosecution
Notably, in his keynote address, DPP Ingonga emphasised the pivotal role prosecutors play in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). He noted that the training reflects the ODPP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional responses to defilement and other SGBV-related offences, particularly those affecting the most vulnerable members of society.
“This training is not just a professional development exercise; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to protect children and ensure they are heard and served with justice,” Ingonga affirmed.
Meanwhile, according to Ingonga, the prosecutors are not just legal officers; they are also human rights defenders for the country’s most vulnerable people, who are mostly the children.
“As prosecutors, we are not just legal officers; we are human rights defenders for our nation’s most vulnerable, our children.” The DPP highlighted that successful prosecutions depend heavily on the quality of investigations and the strength of the evidence presented in court. He urged continued collaboration with law enforcement to bolster the integrity of investigations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
Ingonga further urged the prosecutors to restore public confidence and ensure every child gets not only justice but also is handled with dignity.
“We must use the knowledge gained here to restore public confidence in our criminal justice system. Every child who suffers abuse deserves not only justice but dignity. We must ensure we do not re-traumatise victims through our processes,” DPP stated.
