Lagos State government has revealed that its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) received a total of 8,692 cases between August 2024 and July 2025 through both physical walk-ins and the Virtual Referral and Response Service (VRRS).

The state Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), said this on Friday during the media parley to commemorate the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, which is held every September.

Pedro, who was represented by the Solicitor General/ Permanent Secretary, Hameed Oyenuga, said:” Between August 2024 and July 2025, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) received a total cases of 8,692 cases through both physical walk-ins and the Virtual Referral and Response Service (VRRS); 3,685 cases of domestic violence were reported, making this the most prevalent category.”

The event, themed: “SGBV?…It Concerns Us All”, Pedro said, will commence on September 1 with “Turn Alausa Purple,” which requires public servants to be adorned with purple ribbons, in solidarity against domestic violence.

Pedro said that there will also be Advocacy Walks Against SGBV, which will involve all stakeholders, and residents of Ikeja and Alimosho -the two communities where there is high reportage of SGBV.

Other activities lined up for the event, according to Pedro, are “Market Men Fiesta, Men Wey Sabi, Couples Wey Sabi, which will hold on September 18; Survivors’ Day, Symposium and engagement of Ministers, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and private sectors on sexual harassment, as well as safeguarding and child protection week.”

Others are “Turn Obas Purple-“, honouring esteemed traditional rulers as critical stakeholders, SGBV Not In Our Motorparks- sensitization of transport workers to encourage positive behavioural change.

There will also be Governor’s Award/Award Night to round off the month.

On average, the agency attends to over 400 clients monthly, he noted, adding that “243 cases of defilement and 244 cases of child abuse/physical assault were handled.”

According to him, “99 cases of rape, 48 cases of sexual harassment and 25 cases of sexual assault by penetration were recorded.”

Other cases, according to Pedro, include “41 cyber harassment incidents, 32 threats to life, and 726 family related disputes (custody, neglect, abduction, and child labour.”

He added that “A significant number of 3,090 children were identified as having suffered emotional abuse due to exposure to domestic violence at home.

According to him, “DSVA provided counseling support to ensure that they are not permanently scared by these experiences.

“The youngest survivor was 18 months old while the oldest survivor of domestic violence was a 79-year-old woman, demonstrating that SGBV affects every age.”

He added that the figures showed that this year’s cases reported that there was a sharp increase in reportage of SGBV. (Daily Independent)