Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has approved the establishment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Fund to amongst other things, provide empowerment designed specifically for survivors of domestic violence.
This was just as the state has started to record on the average 100 new cases monthly.
The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, disclosed this at a press briefing, which he addressed on Tuesday in Lagos, saying the Fund would further compliment the current empowerment programmes coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs.
According to Kazeem, the fund will also provide immediate financial assistance to high risk victims during their quest for justice either by providing transportation, empowerment tailored towards relocation or any other form of financial allowance where necessary, adding that the fund would also be made available to implement support strategies with a view to increase the capacity of responder agencies.
The Attorney-General, who is the head of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), said the state government was not relenting in its fight against sexual and domestic violence.
According to him, the Agency had handled 852 cases between January 2017 till date, saying this was in stark contrast to the total number of cases handled last year which was 450.
“This year, we have handled 564 Domestic Violence cases, 60 defilement cases, 30 Rape cases, 11 Attempted Rape, 123 Child Neglect and Child abuse cases and 84 other cases. We have started to see on average 100 new cases monthly,” he said.
Speaking further, Kazeem said the trends from the data revealed an increase in men coming forward to report cases of Domestic Violence, disclosing that this year a total of 55 men came forward to report in contrast to 14 men that reported last year.
“This year a total of 55 men came forward to report. This is in contrast to 14 men that reported last year. Furthermore, the data revealed that most of sexual assault cases were perpetrated in the afternoons, during the weekday. The data also discloses that 95 per cent of perpetrators of Sexual Violence are known to the victims.
“This has necessitated the need to embark on sensitisation campaigns for parents on parenting skills and child abuse prevention tips as well as trainings for children on Child’s Rights, Child Abuse, safety and how to preserve evidence.
“Under the year of review, we have witnessed an increase in reporting from Agege, Ikorodu and Oshodi. We have also witnessed an increase in reporting of cases, via telephone and walk ins from other states, mostly from Ogun, Osun and the eastern part of the country.
“The Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership, Office of the Public Defender and the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights provided free legal assistance to majority of survivors of the domestic violence/sexual assault cases, ranging from judicial separation, divorce, custody of children, mediation and settlement.
“250 of the cases were reported to the Police, whilst the Directorate of Citizens’ Rights and Office of the Public Defender facilitated the execution of Memorandum of Undertaking in 350 of those cases,” Kazeem stated
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