33,009 survivors of domestic and sexual violence have received holistic support from the Lagos State Government between September 2021 and July 2026, as the State marks five years of interventions and prepares to intensify its prevention campaign throughout September.
This came to the fore on Monday, August 31, 2026, at a media parley organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) ahead of the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the cases handled by the Agency demonstrate both the scale of violence confronting residents and the growing importance of accessible survivor-centred response mechanisms.
According to him, domestic violence accounted for 13,515 cases, making it the most frequently reported form of violence during the period. Other cases included 1,171 incidents of defilement, 797 cases of child abuse and physical assault, 420 rape cases, 428 cases of sexual harassment and 100 cases of sexual assault by penetration.
The Agency also handled cases involving technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence, threats to life, attempted rape and family-related disputes.
Pedro said the figures represented people and families affected by violence rather than mere statistics, stressing that the government’s responsibility was to ensure that survivors receive protection and support while perpetrators are brought to justice.
The State’s interventions included free legal assistance for 175 survivors, emergency accommodation for 40 survivors at Eko Haven and other safe shelters, and psychotherapy and counselling for 953 survivors, 267 perpetrators and 304 children.
The Agency also carried out 501 rescue operations to protect people in dangerous environments and provided support to 46 persons with disabilities experiencing gender-based violence.
On the justice front, the government secured 20 restraining orders under the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law 2015 and financially supported the investigation and prosecution of 464 SGBV-related cases. More than 711 cases were charged to court, while the Directorate of Public Prosecutions secured over 160 convictions during the period.
Despite the scale of interventions, Pedro cautioned against interpreting the reported 23.6 per cent decline in cases as proof that the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence has reduced by the same margin.
He explained that reporting levels are influenced by awareness, access to services and survivors’ willingness and ability to seek help.
According to him, the ultimate measure of success is not simply having fewer cases recorded, but preventing violence from occurring in the first place. “The most successful SGBV case is ultimately the one that never happens.”
The State said its prevention efforts have reached an estimated 1,964,559 residents across the 20 Local Government Areas, through sensitisation campaigns, school outreach programmes, community and market engagements, the Kings & Queens Club initiative, Purple Lagos Campus Activation, engagements with traditional rulers and community dialogue structures.
DSVA has also expanded access to services through sub-offices in Kosofe and Ikorodu, capacity-building programmes for frontline professionals, the Lagos State Religious Premarital Counselling Online Course, the reintroduction of the *6820# USSD short code and the ASK INU WhatsApp chatbot.
The Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the 2026 Awareness Month is designed to move beyond awareness to active prevention, stronger community participation and improved response systems.
The campaign, themed “SGBV – IT ENDS WITH US,” is intended to place greater responsibility on families, communities, schools, workplaces, institutions and individuals to prevent domestic and sexual violence.
Activities will begin on September 1 with Turn Lagos Purple along Ikorodu Road and in Lekki Phase 1, followed by Turn Alausa Purple on September 2, when public servants will wear purple ribbons in solidarity against domestic and sexual violence.
The month-long programme will include training for medical social workers, newly upgraded Police Family Support Units and newly recruited health workers; mental wellness support for frontline personnel; disability-inclusive case management training; an advocacy walk against SGBV in Lagos Island; and Survivors’ Day on September 15.
Other activities include private-sector engagement on workplace sexual harassment prevention, a Market Fiesta at Ile-Epo Market and a Safeguarding and Child Protection Week from September 21 to 25, expected to reach more than 1,200 students across Lagos’ six Education Districts.
A major policy milestone will be the National Convening of Gender-Based Violence State Coordinators on September 24 and 25, alongside the launch of the Lagos State GBV Prevention Policy.
The campaign will culminate on September 29 with the Governor’s Commendation and Awards Night, recognising individuals, institutions and partners that have made significant contributions to preventing and responding to domestic and sexual violence.
Vivour-Adeniyi said the Agency expects the campaign to improve public awareness, strengthen frontline capacity, deepen community participation, increase reporting and intervention, expand access to support services and improve collaboration among government, civil society and the private sector.
She urged residents to take ownership of the campaign and speak up when they encounter domestic or sexual violence, stressing that survivors deserve safety, dignity and justice.
Members of the public can report cases through the DSVA toll-free line 08000-333-333.