Lagos agency records 24,955 sexual violence cases in six years
By Adeola Ogunrinde
The Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), disclosed on Friday that the agency has recorded approximately 24,955 cases of gender-based sexual violence in the state from 2019 to date.
In response to the alarming rise in cases of sexual violence, the state government announced plans to launch extensive advocacy campaigns across all local government areas of the state.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, along with the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, shared this information during a media parley held to commemorate Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The event, which included an award night, took place at Alausa, Ikeja.
The theme for the 2024 program is “Not On My Watch!!!”
Pedro, represented by the Acting Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Hameed Oyenuga, expressed concern over the increasing cases of sexual violence involving both genders in the state.
According to him, “The theme of this year is based on the compelling need to ensure that Lagosians realize 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.”
To mark the awareness month, he said the agency will launch the “Turn Alausa Purple” campaign, which will be preceded by a directive from the Head of Service, instructing all public servants to wear the color purple on September 2, 2024, to kickstart the month at key locations such as the Secretariat Gate, Alausa, House of Assembly Gate, and the Old Secretariat simultaneously.
Other activities include advocacy walks against domestic and sexual violence in local government areas where there are low reporting rates. These walks will involve traditional rulers, community leaders, market men and women, religious clerics, and other relevant stakeholders.
The advocacy walk is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Its purpose is to educate and sensitize the citizens and residents of the state on the issues of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and inform them about the available services the state offers to curb this menace.
The walk will take place from Ile-Zik, along the local airport area, to Ipodo Market at Computer Village and within the Ikeja Local Government area.
In addition, there will be an “Eko Men Walk,” aimed at encouraging men to see themselves as key players in the fight against SGBV, to shun any form of violence, and to promote positive masculinity.
“This event will also provide an opportunity to highlight that men can also be victims or survivors of violence. They should be encouraged to speak up and have the opportunity to engage in discussions with other men,” Pedro stated.
According to him, this program will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, within the Ajegunle area of Lagos State, specifically in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government.
“The increase in cases reported from that area recently has influenced our decision to hold this walk there,” Pedro explained.
Pedro further stated, “The purpose of the market fiesta is to educate people on gender and sex roles and how these social constructs contribute to the perpetration of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
“We have chosen to host the fiesta in the Alimosho community, which will involve direct engagement with community members in local markets within the Alimosho area of the state.
“Statistics continue to show that Alimosho Local Government Area has the highest occurrence of SGBV in the state.”
