Over 5,624 cases of domestic and sexual violence have been reported since 2022. Reveals Preparations for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
While the administration of Governor Babjide Sanwo-Olu has continued to pay attention to SGBV issues, seek justice for victims, and provide free services to survivors, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has reaffirmed its commitment towards curbing SGBV to the barest minimum across the State.
This was announced at a Media Briefing held on Thursday at Bagaulda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa to kick off events commemorating the Y2023 Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey.
Through DSVA Executive Secretary Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Shitta-Bey said that “SGBV?” will be the focus for this year’s anniversary. This campaign, called “Not in My Lagos!,” was launched in response to the urgent need to educate residents about the State Government’s zero-tolerance policy toward sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and to encourage the development of long-term solutions to the problem.
Over 5,624 cases of domestic and sexual violence, sexual assault, rape, child abuse, and physical assault have been handled by the DSVA since August 2022, the Permanent Secretary revealed while highlighting the DSVA’s interventions towards protecting the rights of survivors and reducing the menace in Lagos State.
She said that the State government’s prompt responses to SGBV cases included providing survivors with free legal representation, proper medical care, counseling, a safe place to live, and opportunities for personal growth and independence. Shitta-Bey announced that on September 4, 2023, at the Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, there will be a “Turn Alausa Purple” and Advocacy Walk in honor of this year’s awareness month. She encouraged government workers to wear purple in support of the cause.
“Other programmes lined up for the event are the Market Fiesta (Men wey Sabi), a symposium tagged “From Trauma to Triumph,” and Intergenerational Conversations, which involves participants selected from different generations such as the Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Generation Z,” she said.
To further raise awareness, she said, “The awareness month will include safeguarding and child protection day, a timeout for the children, and the Governor’s Commendation/Awards night set to recognize the invaluable contributions of various institutions and individuals who have distinguished themselves in supporting the government in its fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.”
Because of this, Shitta-Bey urged everyone to back the government’s efforts to stop SGBV, saying that it will not be tolerated in the State and that all voices need to be heard.
She argued that DSVA is in a better position to help survivors given that it can provide a wide range of services, including medical care, legal counsel, psychological counseling, assistance with alternative dispute resolution and family life engineering, and empowerment, all under one roof.
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