Ikorodu Local Government has persistently featured among the top five local governments with the highest rates of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse over the past five years, according to Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA).
Speaking in Lagos, Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi highlighted the significance of advocating for awareness and sensitization regarding Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the Ikorodu community. She emphasised that the Lagos State Government was actively collaborating with the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command to address SGBV issues within the state.
After an Advocacy Walk Against SGBV in Ikorodu, Vivour-Adeniyi stressed the importance of this partnership to instil public confidence in the system for handling SGBV cases. She asserted that the collaboration aimed to ensure that individuals experiencing violence could confidently report incidents, recognising that the police often serve as the initial responders in such cases.
“Ikorodu, light has come, we want you to know that there is help for you, we want you to know that you should not suffer in silence,” she urged, encouraging those affected by sexual violence and abuse to speak out.
Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Idowu Owohunwa, described SGBV as a serious issue that required proactive measures, which prompted the collaboration with the Lagos Government. Owohunwa acknowledged the beneficial effects of DSVA’s extensive sensitization initiatives in assisting Lagos State residents in understanding the significance of fostering healthy family structures. DCP Salihu Usman was representing him.
He underlined the significance of strong families as the foundation of a civilised society, emphasising that eradicating gender-based violence was a priority for the Lagos State government.
