Lagos Strengthens Data-Driven Response To Domestic, Sexual Violence

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to improve its response to domestic and sexual violence through a survey designed to generate reliable data on the prevalence of the crimes, reporting patterns and effectiveness of government interventions.

The Lagos Bureau of Statistics (LBS), in collaboration with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), organised a stakeholders’ engagement on the Survey on Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment/Rape, Incidence Rate, Response Time and Government Policy at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ikeja.

Speaking at the engagement, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Olayinka Ojo, said the survey was essential to strengthening evidence-based policymaking and ensuring that government interventions remained responsive to residents’ experiences.

Ojo, who was represented by the Director, Lagos Bureau of Statistics, Mr Bashiru Oseni-Ope, said the exercise would provide insights into residents’ awareness of available support services, confidence in reporting mechanisms and experiences with existing government interventions.

She stressed that feedback from residents was critical to assessing the effectiveness of government policies and programmes and ensuring that public resources were directed towards areas of greatest need.

According to her, the survey would help identify gaps between government policies and public expectations, particularly in relation to awareness of support services, confidence in reporting channels, social attitudes towards violence and the reach of government interventions at the grassroots.

“The findings of the survey will be put to practical use,” Ojo said, adding that the data generated would inform the state’s planning and budgetary frameworks and guide future resource allocation, particularly in social protection and gender equality.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, described the survey as crucial to understanding emerging trends in domestic and sexual violence and strengthening data analysis for improved interventions.

Vivour-Adeniyi said the partnership between LBS and DSVA was aimed at generating reliable data on the prevalence of gender-based violence, patterns of occurrence and the channels through which survivors report cases.

She expressed optimism that the survey would identify emerging trends and areas of high prevalence across the state’s local government areas while providing evidence-based recommendations for preventing and mitigating sexual and gender-based violence.

The DSVA executive secretary also urged survivors of domestic and sexual violence to speak up and seek help, stressing that victims should not blame themselves for the violence they experienced.

“Your experiences are valid, and you should not blame yourself for the violence you suffered,” she said.

She explained that reporting cases would enable survivors to access essential services, including medical care, legal support and access to justice.

Vivour-Adeniyi urged members of the public, particularly survivors, to contact the DSVA through its toll-free line, 0800 033 3333, for support and assistance.

She added that the agency’s official platform also provides channels for reporting cases and accessing support services.