LAGOS RECORDS 24,965 CASES OF DOMESTIC, SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SIX YEARS – DSVA

… Flags Off Annual Awareness Month 

Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has flagged off the 2024 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month which takes place annually in September.

Revealing this at a Press Briefing held in Ikeja, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, who was represented by the Acting Solicitor-General, Hameed Oyenuga, informed the press of the various activities to commemorate the month.

He noted that the 2024 awareness month, themed: “SGBV? Not On My Watch!” will include a sensitisation 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 several 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.

Fielding questions from reporters, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the Agency recorded 24,965 cases of domestic and sexual violence in the state in the last six years (2019 – July 2024), noting that from 2023 to date, the State has secured over 50 judgements.

Disclosing that 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.