LASG steps up fight against sexual, domestic, gender-based violence, shares support numbers

In order to ensure that reports of incidents of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as well as child abuse are met with timely and holistic response, concerted steps have been taken by the Lagos State government to further the state’s partnership with the police.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), under the chairmanship of the Honorable Attorney General / Commissioner for Justice, Adeneji Kazeem, has facilitated the equipping of all Family Support Units within the Lagos State Police Command with gadgets including phones, laptops and printers. This, according to him, would help strengthen the medium through which officers of these units will be accessible to survivors or mandated reporters of domestic and sexual violence.

The DSVRT also partnered with the Commissioner of Police to design specific signage, which would be mounted on the front counter of all Police Divisions, as they are most usually the first point of call for survivors. This will further serve to bring clarity on immediate protocol for case handling and reassurance for complainants who want to report incidents of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.

The phones are to serve as dedicated lines through which residents can contact the officers of the nearest Family Support Units to make reports and follow-up, and to ensure the sustainability of the matters instituted.

The official phone lines for the Family Support Units are as follows, Adeniji Adele: 0906-288-7864, Ajah: 0906-288-7849, Alakuko: 0906-288-7861, Badagry: 0906-288-7852, Festac: 0906-288-7841, Gender Desk, Police Command: 0906-288-7853, Ikeja: 0906-288-7863, Ikorodu (Igbogbo): 0906-288-7858, Ikotun: 0906-288-7870, Ilupeju: 0906-288-7848, Isokoko: 0906-288-7856 and Ketu: 0906-288-7860.

Also provided were laptops and printers to aid typing of court processes, official correspondence and to support the general administrative functions of the Units.

Speaking with The Guardian, the Coordinator, DSVRT, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said that the facilities made available will be put to utmost use and the State will continue to make immense progress in waging the war on acts of sexual and domestic violence. She added that the investments would further improve speed of prosecution of cases thereby restoring confidence for the populace that this menace is being tackled with all seriousness.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, restated the commitment of the Police in ensuring that all perpetrators of these vices are brought to book and that they will continue to strive towards ensuring the safety and security of all citizens within the state.