…worries over high defilement cases
Lagos State has stressed the need for continuous collaboration and partnership amongst first responders and other stakeholders to put an end to the dangerous trend of domestic, sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) and other forms of crime in our society.
He said this has become necessary because it is very clear that government alone cannot win this fight against the menace.
“Sexual and gender based violence must have no place in our community because it is evil, undesirable and inhumane. We must therefore not get tired in speaking out against this menace and lend our support to the great work been done by the Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA),” he said.
The governor stated this during the “Governor’s Awards and Commendation Night 2023” organised by DSVA and held on Friday at The Whitestone Events Centre, Billings Way, Oregun, Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, stated that the increasing number of victims of domestic and sexual violence seeking the intervention of the agency between May 2019 and July 2023 which is about 20,614 is a testimony of the agency’s reach, accessibility and impact on the public
“In 2022, 70,000 convictions were secured while about 600 cases are on-going. This is a testament of the agency’s commitment and dedication to this administration’s zero tolerance for sexual and gender based violence.
“However, government would like to see more convictions of these bad eggs in our society so as to serve as deterrent to others lurking in the dark to commit such heinous crime.”
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kazeem Alogba who was represented at the event by a judge of the Sexual and Domestic Violence Court, Justice Abiola Soladoye reiterated the commitment of the judiciary to bring perpetrators of sexual domestic violence to justice.
Justice Soladoye admonished Lagosians not to cover up for perpetrator of the heinous act by sweeping the matter under the carpet.
The judge urged victims to always speak out, assuring them that the judiciary would not leave them alone adding, “We would continue to do what we know how to do best to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Wife of the governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Dr. (Mrs) Mojoyinola Funmilola, stressed that more work still need to be done to stamp out the menace in order to ensure the safety of the boys and girls and residents to be better informed.
“In the office of the First Lady, we are also intensifying advocacy in ensuring that residents of Lagos State become better informed of the various responses available to victims of SGBV,” she assured.
The States Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bey-Jeje remarked that the increase in the number of cases coming to court is a testimony of the advocacy put into the fight against SGBV in the state and the reason why more survivors are coming out to speak.
She said that out of about 178 cases files received from the Police, 130 are defilement cases, adding that while judgment has been delivered 40 cases, the remaining cases are on-going in the courts.
She, however, stressed the need for the agency not to relent in its effort to stamp out the menace in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN) noted that the agency has continued to target, empower and engage the general public on violence perpetrated against women, children and men through community engagement designed to take awareness of SGBV to all the nooks and crannies of the state.
“The period of complacency is long gone. This realisation is of utmost importance as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration declared zero tolerance for all forms of SGBV,” he said adding, “the fight is not over until we win against this menace.”
DSVA Executive Secretary Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi commended all the honourees for their contributions and for making the event impactful.
She expressed her agency’s determination to stamp sexual and domestic violence in the state, hence the theme, “SGBV-Not in My Lagos.”
The governor’s award for the most effective “Family Support Unit” went to FESTAC FSU; most supportive “Family Social Services” went to Badagry FSS; while Iwaya Primary Health Care Centre was adjudged the most responsive primary health care centre.
The award of the “Most Responsive General Hospital” went to Apapa while “The Shelly’s Serenity Place” won the award of the most responsive Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The Most Gender Centric media award at the event went to The Nation Newspaper, The Guardian Newspaper, Premium Times, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) 10, Nigeria Info FM and Lagos Traffic Radio.
