Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) says 24,965 cases of domestic and sexual violence were recorded in the state in the last six years.
The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the cases were recorded from 2019 – July 2024).
She, however, said that the agency was only able to secure over 50 judgements from 2023 till date.
She spoke on Monday at the flagged off of the 2024 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month which takes place annually in September.
Vivour-Adeniyi said over two million Lagosians had been reached via the Agency’s various engagements directly and on social media.
The Executive Secretary called on Lagosians, NGOs and all stakeholders to support the Agency as it continues to propagate the SGBV message across the State this September.
Earlier while flagging off the event, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, who was represented by the Acting Solicitor-General, Hameed Oyenuga, highlighted the various activities to commemorate the month.
He said the 2024 awareness month, themed: “SGBV? Not On My Watch!” will include a sensitization walk on September 2 and 4, a symposium, Men Wey Sabi, Campus Activation, Turn-Alausa Purple and Advocacy Walk, among others.
He stressed that there had been many incidents recorded in Ajeromi Local Government, hence the need to engage residents meaningfully, reiterating the State Government’s zero tolerance for all forms of SGBV in the State.
Pedro said one of the ways this would be achieved is through our Eko Men Walk against SGBV, slated for the 9th of September, whilst another awareness walk will take place from Ile-Zik along the local airport area to Ipodo market and computer village within the Ikeja local government.
“The theme of this year is based on the compelling need to ensure that Lagosians realise that ending the menace of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is indeed a collective effort, which requires the support and collaboration of all members of society.
“We, therefore, intend to engage all demographics including men, women and children”, he said.
The Commissioner also used the opportunity to appreciate all key stakeholders and partners, including the sponsors of this year’s awareness month, the Funded IDEA Initiative, Wema Bank, LASHMA, Office of SDG, Coca-Cola, Fan Milk, Power Oil and LASAA. (vitalnewsngr.com)
