The Lagos State Government through the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has called for concerted effort towards curbing Sexual and Gender-based violence in society.
The agency to this end, is using its Awareness Month to collaborate with the Nigerian Police to help drive the awareness to the people of the State.
Every month of September is designed to further push the advocacy to all local governments across the State and Ikorodu was the next stop for the advocacy walk against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
After the long walk across the town, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa said that the State Government through the agency has taken bold steps towards eradicating the menace that is affecting homes and society.
The Commissioner of Police who was represented by his Deputy, DCP Salihu Usman explained that “forging a partnership with the State Government will help to ensure credence and confidence in the people whenever issues of violence related matters arise.”
He said that the Police has been of tremendous support in addressing many cases that involve families in domestic frictions as well as Sexual matters, which according to him is a decrease in terms of reported cases.
Usman said; “To a large extent, there is a comparison of the statistics of reported cases of Sexual and Domestic Violence in Lagos State with this year and last year which shows that there is a relative decrease in the Statistics, You cannot compare it to that of last year.
“We are happy that the people of Lagos State are now understanding the essence of establishing a sound family because family is the backbone of any society and without a family, you cannot have a civilized society, that is why Lagos State Government see it as a priority to see that they eradicate the issue of Gender-Based Violence.
‘The Lagos Police Command has been helpful in this regard, Our level of support, first and foremost is an apt response, anytime that there is a conflict the police come in a very good time to see that we registered our presence and besides that, we conduct thorough investigations because one complaint does not means the end of the matter, rather we dig deep and know that everybody is given fair hearing.” he said
Gender unit
He stressed that the Police have always created a Gender unit where the public can lodge complaints stressing that “in almost every police station, that unit is there anywhere you see a police station you are free to go and lodge your complaint there. It has been there since the creation of the Nigerian Police.”
Partnering police
Speaking on the reason for the partnership, the Executive Secretary of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola-Vivour Adeniyi explained that the Police is always the first responders.
Adeniyi said; “The reason for us engaging the Lagos Police Command is because we know that most police serve as first responders in the cases of Sexual and Domestic Violence and we also to know that it is important for people to have confidence in the system, so this actually came from the Commissioner of police who thought that there is a need for members of the public to see that collaboration between the police and the government.
“Walking together to attain one common goal which is ultimately to ensure that when people experience violence they have confidence in the system and they can report appropriately especially because we know in most cases police serves first responders.”
She stated that for the past four years, Ikorodu has been one of the top five local governments with the highest report on Domestic violence and child abuse, but from August 2022 to July 2023, DSVA has attended to over five thousand cases ranging from, Domestic and Sexual Violence, Incest, Defilement Sexual assaults among others.
Adeniyi however urged residents of the State to speak up, break the culture of silence, and engage the nearest police station particularly the Gender Desk located in the Lagos State Police Command whenever any sort of sexual or domestic violence erupts.
Moral responsibility
Others at the event advised residents of Lagos to key into the campaign, support the State Government, and see sensitization as a moral responsibility.
They called on couples to manage their relationship and not result in violence which can lead to injuries or death as well as ensuring they reach out to the appropriate quarters whenever they observe any form of Sexual or domestic violence in their domains.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
