The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVRT, says it has handled 10,007 cases of Domestic and Sexual Violence involving Men, Women and Children from May 2019 to August 2021.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, made this known at a news briefing marking the commencement of the Lagos State’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month at Alausa, Ikeja.
“Between the period, May 2019 to August 2021, 4150 Domestic Violence, 177 Rape, 255 Attempt to commit rape/Sexual Assault, 246 Sexual Assault by penetration/Threat, 877 Others (Separation, Not taking responsibilities of child(ren)Neglect, custody of the child, Non-GBV, 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 were handled by the state through the Domestic Violence and Sexual Response Team, DSVRT”, Onigbanjo said.
The Commissioner, who is also the Chairman of the DSVRT explained that from May 2019, the Agency had been receiving an average of 150 new cases monthly, while the State also witnessed an increase in reporting of cases from other States, mostly from Ogun and Oyo State.
“In the past 2 years, a total of 526 cases occurred outside Lagos. Such cases are promptly referred to the relevant agencies in their respective States”, He noted
Mr. Onigbanjo also stated that 2,980 children have experienced emotional abuse and have been taken through counseling programmes to ensure their integration into the society without negative psychological impact on them.
Outlining activities to commemorate the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, Mr. Onigbanjo stated that the awareness would run for a month with the launch of #TeamAlausaPurpleCampaign, a community engagement with proposed route of Iba/Ipaja in view of the high numbers of cases reported from there over the last 2years, while a day had been set aside as “Safeguarding and Child Protection Day” with a Commendation night ending the month long programmes.
