By Moshood Adebayo
Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, has described as worrisome rape incidents in the state.
He spoke in his capacity as the chairman, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) to mark this year’s Violence Awareness month.
According to him, 95 percent of perpetrators of sexual violence were known to their victims. This, he said, had necessitated the DSVRT to embark on rigorous sensitisation for parents on parenting skills and child abuse prevention tips and training.
“Between January 2017 till date, the team has handled 852 cases. This is in contrast to the number of cases handled last year which was 450. “This year, we have handled 564 domestic violence cases, 60 defilement cases, 30 rape cases, 11 attempted rape, 123 child neglect and child abuse cases and 84 other cases; we have started to see on average of 100 new cases monthly.” Contrary to the believe that only women usually assaulted their husbands, Adeniji disclosed that 55 men were assaulted by their spouses between January and August this year. He identified Agege, Ikorodu and Oshodi as areas that have witnessed increase in reportage this year.
In a bid to ensure that every resident of Lagos is able to receive prompt response, the team has obtained approval from the Nigerian Communication Commission to have a short code for reporting sexual abuse, child abuse and domestic violence in the state.
He also revealed that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had approved the establishment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Fund.
The fund, he said, is to among other things, provide empowerment designed specifically for survivors of domestic violence.
‘’The fund will also be to implement support strategies to increase the capacity of responder agencies as well as compliment the current empowerment programmes coordinated by the state ministry of women affairs.
“It will also provide immediate financial assistance to high risk victims during their quest for justice either by providing transportation, empowerment tailored towards relocation or any other form of financial allowances where necessary,’’ he said.