Lagos Supports 33,009 SGBV Survivors in Five Years

The Lagos State Government says it has provided holistic support to 33,009 survivors of domestic and sexual violence through the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) between September 2021 and July 2026.

The government disclosed this on Monday, August 31, 2026, during a media parley organised by the DSVA to commemorate five years of interventions and unveil activities for the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Speaking at the event, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the 33,009 cases were received through physical walk-ins and the Agency’s Virtual Referral and Response Service (VRRS).

He said domestic violence accounted for the highest number of reported cases, with 13,515 incidents recorded during the period.

Other cases handled included 1,171 cases of defilement, 797 cases of child abuse and physical assault, 420 rape cases, 428 sexual harassment cases and 100 cases of sexual assault by penetration.

Pedro said the figures represented more than statistics, stressing that each case involved an individual or family dealing with trauma and seeking justice.

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“Behind every case is an individual, a family and often a story of trauma, courage and the search for justice,” he said.

He added that the government had a responsibility to ensure that survivors were supported while perpetrators were held accountable.

According to him, the State provided free legal support to 175 survivors, accommodated 40 survivors requiring immediate safety at Eko Haven and other safe shelters, and provided psychotherapy and counselling to 953 survivors, 267 perpetrators and 304 children.

He said 501 rescue operations were also conducted to protect people in dangerous environments, while services were provided to 46 persons with disabilities who experienced gender-based violence.

On prosecution, Pedro said 20 restraining orders were obtained under the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law 2015, while the Agency financially supported the investigation and prosecution of 464 SGBV-related cases.

He added that more than 711 cases were charged to court, while the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Ministry of Justice, secured over 160 convictions within the period under review.

The Attorney-General said Lagos recorded a 23.6 per cent decline in reported cases during the comparative period, but warned that the reduction should not automatically be interpreted as a fall in the actual prevalence of violence.

He explained that reporting levels could be affected by awareness, access to services and survivors’ willingness and ability to seek help.

Pedro said the ultimate objective was not merely to reduce the number of cases recorded, but to prevent violence from occurring.

“The most successful SGBV case is ultimately the one that never happens,” he said.

He also highlighted preventive interventions by the State, including sensitisation campaigns that reached an estimated 1,964,559 residents across the 20 Local Government Areas, school outreaches, community and market engagements, the Kings & Queens Club initiative and Purple Lagos Campus Activation.

Other initiatives include engagements with traditional rulers, community dialogue structures, DSVA sub-offices in Kosofe and Ikorodu, capacity-building for frontline professionals, the Lagos State Religious Premarital Counselling Online Course, the reintroduction of the USSD short code *6820# and the ASK INU WhatsApp Chat Bot.

The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the 2026 Awareness Month was designed to move beyond awareness towards active prevention, stronger community participation and improved response systems.

She said this year’s theme, “SGBV-IT ENDS WITH US,” was a call for collective responsibility in preventing domestic and sexual violence.

“Preventing Domestic and Sexual Violence cannot be left to government alone but requires the active participation of families, communities, schools, workplaces, institutions and individuals,” she said.

Vivour-Adeniyi said Lagos had commemorated Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month every September since 2015 to deepen public awareness, strengthen prevention and response efforts, and mobilise stakeholders towards creating safer communities.

She disclosed that the month-long programme began on September 1 with Turn Lagos Purple along Ikorodu Road and in Lekki Phase 1, followed by Turn Alausa Purple on September 2.

Other activities include training for medical social workers and police officers in newly upgraded Family Support Units, a mental wellness programme for frontline staff, disability-inclusive case management training, an advocacy walk against SGBV in Lagos Island and training for newly recruited health workers.

Survivors’ Day is scheduled for September 15, while other activities include private-sector engagement on workplace sexual harassment prevention, a Market Fiesta at Ile-Epo Market and Safeguarding and Child Protection Week from September 21 to 25, which is expected to reach more than 1,200 students across the six education districts.

A major highlight will be the National Convening of Gender-Based Violence State Coordinators on September 24 and 25, alongside the launch of the Lagos State GBV Prevention Policy.

The awareness month will culminate on September 29 with the Governor’s Commendation and Awards Night, which will recognise individuals, institutions and partners for their contributions to preventing and responding to domestic and sexual violence.

Vivour-Adeniyi said the Agency expected the campaign to lead to greater public awareness, stronger capacity among frontline professionals, deeper community engagement, increased reporting and intervention, improved access to support services and stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations and the private sector.

She urged Lagos residents to take ownership of the campaign and speak up whenever they encounter domestic or sexual violence, stressing that survivors deserved “safety, dignity and justice.”

Members of the public can report cases through the DSVA toll-free line 08000-333-333.