Lagos handles10,007 domestic, sexual violence cases in two years 

The Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) has handled 10,007 domestic and sexual violence cases in two years.

The Chairman of DSVRT and Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) made this known on Wednesday during a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alaua, Ikeja in commemorating the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

He said the recorded domestic, sexual, gender and non-gender based violence cases were perpetrated against adults and children.

Onigbanjo said that since May 2019, the DSVRT attended to an average of 150 new cases monthly, adding that the team provides a coordinated response and creates unprecedented levels of collaboration among professionals working to end sexual and gender-based violence in the state.

He said: ”Under Mr. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, DSVRT has received a total of 10,007 reported cases which include domestic violence and sexual violence perpetrated against adults and children.

”From May 2019 till August 26, 2021, the team has handled 4,150 domestic violence; 177 rape; 255 attempt to commit rape/sexual assault; 246 sexual assault by penetration/threat; and 877 others cases (separation, not taking responsibilities of child(ren), neglect, custody of the child, non-GBV).

”The team also handled 436 child abuse/physical assault, 271 defilement cases; 13 defilement by minor to minor; 454 child labour; abduction neglect/others; and 148 sexual harassment/molestation cases.

”Also, a total of 2,980 children have experienced emotional abuse (that is these children have been exposed to domestic violence within the home). Some of these children had been taken through counselling programmes, to ensure they were able to psychologically deal with the events they had witnessed, without it having a permanent and negative impact on them.”

Onigbanjo also disclosed that DSVRT has witnessed an increase in reporting of cases from other states, mostly from Ogun and Oyo State, noting that a total of 526 cases occurred outside Lagos in the past two years, and such cases were promptly referred to the relevant agencies in their respective states.

The Attorney-General said the Office of the Public Defender, Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP), as well as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) provided free legal representation to 188 survivors of domestic violence.

He said that the free legal representation ranged from judicial separation, divorce, custody of children, mediation and settlement.

The Chairman of DSVRT said the team in 2021 provided services to 10 Persons with Disabilities, who were experiencing one form of gender-based violence or the other, noting that such reports were escalated to the Police as well as the Chief Coroner of Lagos State, for a coroner’s inquest to be conducted, with a view to ascertaining the cause of death, the outcome of which would greatly strengthen the case of the prosecution.

He disclosed that prosecution was ongoing in three of the cases, while the remaining two suspects were currently on the run.