The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency took its advocacy and sensitization to the Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state on Thursday as part of its 2023 domestic and sexual violence awareness month.
Ikorodu was selected because it was among the top five local governments with the highest prevalence of domestic and sexual violence as well as child abuse in the last five years, according to a statement made by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.
In order to address the issues of SGBV in the state, Vivour-Adeniyi further stated that the Lagos State Government was working with the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force.
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She noted that there was a need for partnership so that the public would have confidence in the system in dealing with cases of SGBV.
“There is a need for the members of the public to see the collaboration between the police and the government working together towards one common goal.
“This is ultimately to ensure that when people experience violence, they have confidence in the system and they are able to report appropriately, especially because we know that in most cases, the police serve as the first respondent,” she said.
Urging victims of SGBV to break the culture of silence and speak up, Vivour-Adeniyi said, “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. The most important thing is to break the culture of silence; speak up and speak out.”
