As concerns over rising cases of domestic and sexual violence against children continue to grow, AXA Mansard has strengthened its partnership with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency to deepen awareness and prevention campaigns across communities in Lagos.

The initiative, unveiled under the 2026 AXA Week for Good themed, “Being A Child Shouldn’t Be A Risk,” is aimed at improving public enlightenment, encouraging timely reporting of abuse cases and strengthening child protection mechanisms at the grassroots level.

As part of the campaign, employee volunteers of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc will embark on door-to-door sensitisation exercises in collaboration with the agency, while the DSVA will provide technical support, training and guidance throughout the programme.

The insurer explained that the initiative builds on the success of its 2025 collaboration with the agency, which focused mainly on school-based interventions designed to educate pupils and teachers on domestic and sexual violence.

Chief Marketing Officer of AXA Mansard, Adebola Surakat, said the 2026 campaign is specifically targeted at families, parents, caregivers and community leaders because available statistics indicate that most abuse cases occur within homes and among persons familiar to children.

According to her, over 60 per cent of domestic and sexual violence cases involving children are linked to individuals known to them, making sustained community sensitisation critical in addressing the challenge.

She disclosed that the initiative would cover six communities where volunteers would educate residents on identifying abuse, understanding reporting channels and adopting safe parenting practices.

Surakat noted that AXA Mansard remains committed to social advocacy against domestic and sexual violence, stressing that corporate organisations have a responsibility to contribute to building safer communities where they operate.

She added that about 96 per cent of the company’s employees dedicated at least 30 minutes of their working hours to volunteer activities focused on combating domestic and sexual violence during the 2025 edition of the programme.

Executive Secretary of the DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said domestic and sexual violence thrives in silence, ignorance and fear, underscoring the need for continuous public education and stronger community engagement.

She commended AXA Mansard for sustaining the partnership, noting that protecting children requires collective action involving government institutions, the private sector and the public.

According to her, taking advocacy directly into communities would empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge needed to identify warning signs, protect vulnerable children and promptly report abuse cases.

Industry stakeholders said the initiative reflects the growing role of insurance firms in advancing social impact and environmental, social and governance commitments beyond traditional underwriting activities.

They noted that insurance operators are increasingly integrating social intervention programmes into their corporate sustainability strategies as part of efforts to strengthen consumer trust, improve brand reputation and contribute to national development goals.

The stakeholders added that partnerships between private organisations and public agencies in addressing domestic and sexual violence could help bridge awareness gaps, improve reporting culture and strengthen support systems for vulnerable groups, particularly children.

AXA Week for Good is the flagship programme under AXA Mansard’s employee volunteering initiative, AXA Hearts in Action, through which employees reportedly contributed more than 20,000 volunteer hours in 2025.