As the city battles the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, a shadow pandemic unfolds in Lagos. In the past six months, cases of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence have reached 1,617 within the megacity.
The data was released by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), in its usual bi-annual report.
An analysis of the report showed that a total of 1,329 adults, representing 82 per cent of the total number of cases reported for the period under review, suffered one form of assault or the other.
288 children were also assaulted during the period under review.
Of this figure, 1,125 females, representing 85 per cent were assaulted by men while 194 males, representing 15 per cent suffered assault in the hands of their women.
Recall that, last year, a study commissioned by the ministry of women’s affairs and social development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) Nigeria, with support from the Norwegian Government, found out that 28% of Nigerian women aged 25-29 have experienced some form of physical violence since age 15.
In respect of the 288 cases reported for children, there were 124 reported cases on emotional abuse; 70 reported cases were on child defilement ; 53 cases on Physical violence and child abuse; 18 cases were reported on sexual harassment; five cases of defilement perpetrated by minors to minors while 18 cases bordered on child neglect.
The analysis also revealed that amongst the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) within Lagos State, Alimosho recorded the highest number of cases that were reported.
It was followed closely by Ikeja, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo and Ifako Ijaiye.
The report further revealed that six survivors out of the 1,617 cases reported suffered disability.
DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the analysis implies that advocacy would be intensified in these areas based on the trends observed in the areas.
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