Cleric cautions men on sexual, domestic violence

A Cleric, Mr Tunji Atolagbe, on Friday advised men to stop domestic and sexual violence against women and treat them with dignity.

Atolagbe, the Pastor of Christian Life Bible Church, expressed the viewpoint in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikorodu, near Lagos.

In October, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team said that 950 domestic and sexual violence cases had been reported this year.

The figure is about 100 per cent increase on last year’s figure of 452 domestic and sexual violence cases.

The DSVRT, as part of efforts to check the trend, unveiled 6820 Short Message Service (SMS) short-code for the reporting of domestic and sexual violence in October.

Atolagbe said that men should be in the forefront in the crusade on sexual and domestic violence against women, including girls.

According to him, women should not be regarded as slaves or sex objects.

“Men are the the principal culprits of sexual and gender-based violence, and many researchers have concluded that domestic and sexual violence is mostly committed against female gender.

“Women are neither slaves nor sex weapons or objects; they are human beings like us.
“If you don’t treat your wife well, remember that someday you will have a daughter and you won’t be happy if she’s not treated well.

“To those rapists out there, they should desist from such acts; what do you enjoy in raping women? sex should be enjoyed mutually.

“There should be clearly-defined equality between males and females in schools, work places and homes, to reduce violence against the female gender,” he said.

Atolagbe advised men to stop regarding women as second class citizens.

“More awareness programmes should be taken to the primary and secondary schools, churches, mosques, traditional rulers and rural areas, to reduce the violence against women and girls,” he advised

Meanwhile, the DSVRT said in October that 10 persons convicted for sexual violence this year had been registered in the sexual offenders register and were being monitored.