LASG addresses 300 monthly cases of domestic, sexual violence — Officials
The Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), is actively responding to an average of 300 new cases of sexual and domestic violence each month.
This was revealed by Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, during a symposium titled “Are We Doing Enough? A Consideration of Lagos State’s Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Last Decade,” held in Lagos on Wednesday.
Vivour-Adeniyi noted that the increasing number of reported cases indicates growing public confidence in the government’s mechanisms for addressing these issues.
“As of last year, we provided services to over 6,333 survivors. People are becoming more aware of support services that exist which they can take advantage of,” she stated.
Since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in September 2014, which evolved into a statutory agency in 2021, there has been a significant cultural shift.
“There has been a gradual breaking of the culture of silence on sexual and gender-based violence in Lagos State, thanks to increased formal and informal reporting of cases,” she added.
Highlighting the importance of a collaborative effort, Vivour-Adeniyi expressed the state’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
She emphasised the serious implications of domestic violence, stating, “These acts violate the fundamental rights of individuals and have far-reaching consequences on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.”
The symposium provided a crucial platform for stakeholders to discuss the root causes of domestic and sexual violence and explore effective strategies for prevention.
Vivour-Adeniyi mentioned that Lagos, as a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, faces unique challenges in addressing these issues, particularly with its growing population and rapid urbanisation.
Guest speaker Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, praised the agency’s evolution over the past decade in protecting the vulnerable, especially women and children.
“The state government’s interventions have raised the bar of understanding the problems and proffered viable solutions,” she said.
However, she called for the sustainability of these efforts by expanding the agency’s capacity.
Panelists at the event commended the government’s strides in reducing cases of domestic and sexual violence over the last ten years, while also advocating for increased funding and logistics to ensure thorough investigations of reported cases.
They urged for the localization of DSVA activities within communities and heightened public awareness to empower citizens in the fight against gender-based violence.
