22nd May, 2017
Mrs Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, Coordinator, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), on Monday said the team attended to no fewer than 860 survivors of domestic violence in 2016.
Vivour-Adeniyi made this known while speaking with newsmen during a dance sensitisation exercise organised by the team at the Abule Egba area of Lagos State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the “flash mob dance” was organised in collaboration with students of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).
“ In DSVRT, we attended to over 860 survivors of domestic violence that required a multi-disciplinary service.
“Sometimes they had to be removed from the abusive environment, they had to be empowered, their children needed to change schools and they had to receive medical attention.
“So, we offered a cross range of services to them and that was for 2016. This year, we have started seeing an average of 100 clients per month.”
She also clarified that the state was not witnessing an upsurge in cases of domestic and sexual violence.
“We don’t believe that there is an upsurge in domestic violence in Lagos State. What is happening is that there is increase in reporting because people are more aware of where to go to for help.
“For us in Lagos State, I think it is important to know that we have the political will to fight this menace.
“At the helm of affairs, key political office holders are speaking out against domestic violence, condemning it and ensuring that prosecution takes place.”
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Also speaking, Mrs Clara Ibirogba, Director, Citizens Right, Lagos State Ministry of Justice and Alternate Chairman, DSVRT, said the exercise was initiated to bring the campaign against the menace to the people.
“We are leveraging on the Lagos at 50 celebration. We are bringing advocacy, sensitisation and awareness to key areas in Lagos State.
“We believe that we can pass the message in a creative manner by having a sudden dance in a public place to attract people to our message. ”
According to her, the team is organising the exercise in Lagos Island, Abule Egba, Ajah, Central Business District, Ikeja and other areas as part of efforts geared toward intensifying the campaign against rape, sexual harassment and child abuse.
She noted that the team was working with students of LASPOTECH to create early awareness and prevent them from falling victims to such acts.