Lagos records 8,692 sexual abuse cases in one year

THE Lagos State government on Friday disclosed that 8,692 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) were reported in the state within the past year.

The government, however, assured that steps were being taken through the Ministry of Justice to restore hope and confidence in survivors.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), made this known during a media parley at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, held to mark the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, observed every September.

Pedro, represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, Mr Ahmid Oyenuga, said 3,090 children were identified as victims of emotional abuse due to exposure to violence at home.

He noted that 90 per cent of survivors reported low self-esteem, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), extreme fear and anxiety, while about five per cent suffered depression and required medical attention.

He explained that, for the first time, private sector stakeholders would be involved in this year’s awareness programme, themed ‘SGBV?… It Concerns Us All’.

He added that the state would soon launch guidelines on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, while over 1,200 students would participate in the Safeguarding and Child Protection Week through debates on the theme ‘It’s Okay to Tell’.

Between August 2024 and July 2025, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) handled 8,692 cases via physical walk-ins and its Virtual Referral and Response Service (VRRS), averaging more than 400 clients monthly.

These included 3,685 cases of domestic violence, 243 defilement, 244 child abuse/physical assault, 99 rape, 48 sexual harassment and 25 sexual assault by penetration.

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Pedro disclosed that the agency also conducted 402 preliminary investigations and rescue missions, while the state’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Taskforce received 57 reported concerns within the same period.

He identified Alimosho, Eti-Osa, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Oshodi-Isolo as the top five local government areas with the highest reports of adult cases, while for children, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Badagry, Alimosho and Oshodi-Isolo topped the list.

Further analysis revealed that 60 per cent of survivors reported experiencing domestic violence within the first five years of marriage, while 50 per cent came forward only after 10 years. Delayed reporting was linked to financial dependence, concern for children and socio-cultural pressures.

On survivors’ profiles, 44 per cent were employed, 33 per cent self-employed, 11 per cent students, 11 per cent unemployed, and one per cent retired. Perpetrators, by contrast, were 45 per cent employed, 38 per cent self-employed, 8 per cent unemployed, 3 per cent students, while 6 per cent were unclassified, debunking the notion that abusers are largely jobless.

Pedro added that the Clinical Psychology Department provided psychotherapy and psychosocial support for 1,489 survivors, including children, as well as 249 abusers.

He also revealed that since February 2025, the DSVA’s AI chatbot, INU, had recorded 158 interactions, with 61 escalated to live agents through the virtual case manager.

From August 2024 to July 2025, the agency directly and indirectly engaged 6.3 million Lagos residents across the 20 local government areas through preventive education and awareness programmes.