Lagos: The Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), reported receiving 33,009 cases of domestic and sexual violence over a five-year period. The announcement was made by the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, during a media parley held in Ikeja to commemorate the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Commissioner for Justice, represented by the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stated that these cases were recorded from September 2021 to July 2026. The cases were reported through both physical walk-ins and the Virtual Referral and Response Service (VRRS), with the agency handling an average of 300 clients monthly.
Domestic violence was identified as the most frequently reported form of violence, with 13,515 cases. This was followed by defilement, which accounted for 1,171 cases, and child abuse and physical assault, which had 797 reports. Other recorded incidents included 420 rape cases, 428 sexual harassment issues, 100 sexual assault by penetration cases, 95 technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence cases, 323 threats to life, and 79 attempted rape cases.
The attorney-general highlighted that 10,613 children were identified as having suffered emotional abuse due to exposure to domestic violence in their homes. He emphasized the importance of extending the state’s response beyond immediate incidents to support the psychological well-being of those affected.
Pedro noted that domestic and emotional violence cases were the most prevalent. Reported cases increased from 1,075 between September and December 2021 to 5,929 in 2022; 6,389 in 2023; and 7,882 in 2024. However, they declined to 7,721 in 2025 and 4,013 by July 2026, marking a 23.6 percent decrease in reported cases between consecutive years.
Despite the reduction in reported cases, Pedro cautioned against assuming a corresponding decline in the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence across Lagos. He explained that reporting data could be influenced by various factors such as reporting behavior, awareness, access to services, and changes in assistance-seeking channels.
The commissioner highlighted Lagos State’s investments in prevention, early intervention, community engagement, and behavioral change. He noted that the ultimate goal is to prevent SGBV cases from occurring and emphasized the need for continued analysis of data, community engagement, and strengthened reporting channels.
During the Awareness Month, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Vivour-Adeniyi, stated the objective was to deepen public understanding of domestic and sexual violence. This includes strengthening the capacity of frontline professionals, improving access to support, enhancing community and stakeholder engagement, and encouraging stronger reporting and intervention.
Vivour-Adeniyi also expressed appreciation for Lagos residents who act as mandated reporters, stressing the importance of speaking up when witnessing incidents to ensure appropriate actions are taken.