Lagos State government on Wednesday said it recorded a total of 10,007 reported cases of domestic violence, including sexual abuse perpetrated against adults and children between May 2019 till August 26, 2021.
This was just as the state government said it sadly, within the year, received reports of 5 victims, who died of the abuse, adding that prosecution was ongoing in 3 of the cases whilst the remaining two suspects were currently on the run.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, made this known at a media briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, while speaking on the highlight of activities to commemorate the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, September 2021.
The event is being organized by Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVRT, with the theme: “Institutionalizing our Reforms.”
Onigbanjo lamented that despite the team’s various initiatives as well as the zero-tolerance declared in the state, it had continued to see a steady increase of formal reportage of domestic violence cases of over 150 cases daily, noting that the theme was based on the critical need to ensure that all the interventions made were institutionalised and systems in place to ensure that the response of the state to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence was well structured and service delivery fully optimal.
“Under Mr Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, DSVRT, from May 2019 till August 26, 2021, has handled 10,007 cases which are into two categories, adults and children.
“The breakdown of the cases shows 4,150 domestic violence, 177 rape, 255 attempt to commit rape/sexual assault, 246 sexual assault by penetration /threat, 877 others separation, not taking responsibilities of the child(ren), neglect, custody of the child, Non-GBV, among others, 436 child abuse/Physical assault, 271 Defilement cases, 13 defilement by minor to minor, 454 child labour, abduction neglect/others,148 sexual harassment/molestation cases.
“A total of 2,980 children have experienced emotional abuse (These children have been exposed to domestic violence within the home).
“Some of these children have been taken through counselling programs to ensure they are able to psychologically deal with the events they have witnessed without it having a permanent and negative impact on them.
“Since May 2019, the team began to attend to an average of 150 new cases monthly.
“We have also witnessed an increase in reporting of cases from other states, mostly from Ogun and Oyo States. In the past two years, a total of 526 cases occurred outside Lagos.
“Such cases are promptly referred to the relevant agencies in their respective states,” the commissioner stated.
Onigbanjo, who is also the chairman of DSVRT, however, said free legal representation was provided to 188 survivors of domestic violence, ranging from judicial separation, divorce, custody of children, mediation and settlement, adding that provision of shelter for survivors was also made available by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and strategic partners, including God’s Home for Women, Day Spring, Project Alert, and Cee Hope, who he said had played key roles in ensuring rescued survivors were evacuated to a safer environment of shelter homes.
Besides, he said all the survivors of sexual assault received medical attention from comprehensive Primary Health Care Centres, General Hospitals and sexual assault referral centres such as Mirabel Centre, Women at Risk International Foundation, WARIF, as well as Idera Centre.
Speaking further, the commissioner disclosed that all reports of Child Protection Policy contravention in schools were duly responded to, in line with DSVRT’s mandate to implement the Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection.
According to him, from May 2019 till date, the attention of DSVRT, Office of Education Quality Assurance as well as Department of School Social Work of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development has been drawn to incidents of Child Abuse in 37 schools, saying all erring schools were investigated by the Office of Education Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education.
Onigbanjo, while giving the highlight on activities lined up, said the team was set to organise Town Hall Meetings on Domestic and Sexual Violence, with a view to engaging and sensitising residents of Iba and Iyana Ipaja Local Governments on SGBV as well as the services available to survivors, adding that the community engagements were slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, 14 and 15 of September 2021.
The commissioner said as part of activities marking the event, some persons and teams would be recognized and appreciated, including Most Responsive Family Support Unit (FSU), Police Division Best Family Social Services (FSS) Unit, Most supportive Donor agency, Most Responsive Health Facility
Best Non-Governmental Organisation for Domestic Violence, Best Non-Governmental Organization for Sexual Violence, A Mandated Reporter Special Recognition, among others.
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