Alarming Statistics Of Domestic and Sexual Violence Cases Treated In Lagos Revealed By The State Attorney-General
As Lagos state commemorates “The Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month” this September, the Attorney-General and State commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem has revealed that the state has recorded no fewer than 3,089 cases of sexual and domestic violence in the past eight months.
The statistics given during this year’s conference themed: “Securing the Home against Violence: Everyone’s Responsibility” saw the commissioner who was ably represented by Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry for Justice, Funmilola Odunlami reveal that the 2018 figure had increased by over 200% compared to previous years, citing 2017 at 1,044.
During the year under review, Mr Kazeem said:
”From January to August 2018, DSVRT received 3,089 reported cases. This indicates that the number of reports has doubled since 2017 when DVSRT handled a total of 1044 cases for the entire year.
From January till August, 2018, the Team handled 1,037 cases in the office: 939 Domestic Violence cases, 245 Child Abuse, 40 defilement cases 22 rape cases, 13 cases of attempt to commit Rape and Sexual Assault by penetration.
Also, 10 sexual assault by penetration and 48 other cases were also recorded. We have started to see an average of 150 new cases monthly.”
On the strides of the Domestic & Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) commissioned in 2017, the commissioner revealed that “From January 1, 2018 till date, DSVRT has received 2,052 reports via the 6820 short-code”.
He also added that the team now has a stronger focus on Children especially those who have witnessed domestic violence. The platform also allows for people who may be worried about physically appearing to report an abusive person.
According to him, a total of 1,187 children have been exposed to domestic violence within their homes.
“Some of these children have been taken through counselling programmes to ensure they are able to psychologically deal with the events they have witnessed without it having a permanent and negative impact on them,” he said.“From January 1, 2018 till date, DSVRT has received 2,052 reports via the 6,820 short-code. A total of 718 actual cases were reported. Hence, DSVRT has responded to 357 reports of domestic violence, 195 reports of S*xual Abuse and 166 reports of child abuse, all reported via the 6,820 platform.“What is most exciting about the platform is that it breaks the initial barrier of people not wanting to make a formal report at an office or police station. We are now able to interact directly with survivors and concerned witnesses and take vital steps in dealing with a case,” he said.
“As at August 2018, a total of 103 men came forward to report. This implies about 10 per cent of cases handled this year so far were reported by men.
“We have also witnessed an increase in reporting of cases via telephone and walk-ins from other states, mostly from Ogun, Oyo and have referred such cases to the relevant agencies in the states,’’ he said.
Finally, he added that the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership provided free legal assistance to 52 of the survivors of the domestic violence, ranging from judicial separation, divorce, custody of children, mediation and settlement.
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