The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 33,009 survivors of domestic and sexual violence received support through the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) between September 2021 and July 2026.
The figures were disclosed on Monday at a media parley organised by the DSVA to commemorate five years of interventions and unveil activities for the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
This is as the state also recorded a 23.6 per cent decline in reported cases within the comparative period, although the government cautioned that the reduction in reported cases should not be interpreted as a corresponding decline in the actual prevalence of domestic and sexual violence.
Speaking at the event, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the DSVA received 33,009 cases through physical walk-ins and its Virtual Referral and Response Service (VRRS) during the period under review.
He said domestic violence accounted for the highest number of reported cases, with 13,515 cases, while other cases included 1,171 defilement cases, 797 child abuse and physical assault cases, 420 rape cases, 428 sexual harassment cases and 100 cases of sexual assault by penetration.
According to him, the Agency also handled cases involving technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence, threats to life, attempted rape and family-related disputes.
Pedro said the statistics represented individuals and families affected by violence, stressing that government’s responsibility was to ensure that survivors received protection and support while perpetrators were brought within the ambit of the law.
He disclosed that 175 survivors received free legal support, while 40 survivors requiring immediate protection were accommodated at Eko Haven and other safe shelters.
He added that the Agency’s Clinical Psychology Department provided psychotherapy and counselling to 953 survivors, 267 perpetrators and 304 children, while 501 rescue operations were carried out to protect people in dangerous environments.
The Attorney-General further disclosed that DSVA provided services to 46 persons with disabilities who experienced gender-based violence.
On prosecution, Pedro said 20 restraining orders were obtained under the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law 2015, while the Agency financially supported the investigation and prosecution of 464 SGBV-related cases.
He said more than 711 cases were charged to court, with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, securing over 160 convictions within the period.
However, Pedro cautioned against equating the decline in reported cases with a decline in the incidence of violence.
He explained that reporting figures could be influenced by public awareness, access to support services and survivors’ willingness and ability to seek help.
He said the ultimate objective of the government was not merely to reduce the number of cases recorded, but to prevent violence from occurring in the first place.
“The most successful SGBV case is ultimately the one that never happens,” he said.
The Commissioner said the state had also intensified preventive measures through sensitisation campaigns across the 20 Local Government Areas, reaching an estimated 1,964,559 residents.
He listed other interventions to include school outreach programmes, community and market engagements, the Kings & Queens Club initiative, Purple Lagos Campus Activation, engagement with traditional rulers and the establishment of community dialogue structures.
According to him, DSVA has also expanded access to support services through the establishment of sub-offices in Kosofe and Ikorodu, capacity building for frontline professionals, the Lagos State Religious Premarital Counselling Online Course, reintroduction of the USSD short code *6820# and the ASK INU WhatsApp chatbot.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the 2026 Awareness Month was designed to move beyond awareness to active prevention, stronger community participation and improved response systems.
She said this year’s theme, “SGBV-IT ENDS WITH US,” was a call for collective responsibility, noting that preventing domestic and sexual violence required the involvement of families, schools, communities, workplaces, institutions and individuals.
Vivour-Adeniyi said Lagos had commemorated Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month every September since 2015 to deepen awareness, strengthen prevention and response mechanisms and mobilise stakeholders towards creating safer communities.
She disclosed that activities for the month would commence with “Turn Lagos Purple” along Ikorodu Road and in Lekki Phase 1, followed by “Turn Alausa Purple” on September 2, when public servants would wear purple ribbons in solidarity against domestic and sexual violence.
Other activities include training for medical social workers on SGBV prevention and response, training for police officers in newly upgraded Family Support Units, a mental wellness programme for frontline staff, disability-inclusive case management training and an advocacy walk against SGBV in Lagos Island.
The programme will also feature training for newly recruited health workers, Survivors’ Day on September 15, private sector engagement on workplace sexual harassment prevention and a Market Fiesta at Ile-Epo Market.
The Agency will hold Safeguarding and Child Protection Week from September 21 to 25, targeting more than 1,200 students across the six Education Districts.
A major highlight of the programme will be the National Convening of Gender-Based Violence State Coordinators scheduled for September 24 and 25, alongside the launch of the Lagos State GBV Prevention Policy.
The awareness month will culminate on September 29 with the Governor’s Commendation and Awards Night, where individuals, institutions and partners who have demonstrated commitment to preventing and responding to domestic and sexual violence will be recognised.
Vivour-Adeniyi said the Agency expected the campaign to lead to greater public awareness, improved capacity among frontline professionals, deeper community engagement, increased reporting and intervention, better access to support services and stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations and the private sector.
She urged Lagos residents to take ownership of the campaign and speak up whenever they encounter domestic or sexual violence, stressing that survivors deserved safety, dignity and justice.