At Child Protection Day, Sanwo-Olu hails signing of Sex Offenders Register into law

In commemoration of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Agency this week held the State Safeguarding and Child Protection Day.

A child abuse prevention workshop led by trained peer educators with experience in gender relations, socialisation, dating violence and sexual violence prevention, over 300 students drawn from each education district were in attendance.

According to the executive secretary of the agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, it was deliberate as this is the most adventurous and delicate age group and they need proper guidance and counseling.

A recent study conducted by the state government in partnership with UNICEF reveals that one in six children would be abused in their lifetime with girls being more prone to being abused at an early age (from 2 years and above).

“It is therefore of utmost importance that we engage children timeously to avert them falling prey to paedophiles and perverts in our society. Safeguarding the Rights of a Child (STRAC) via interactive workshops is one of the central elements of our fight against the growing trend of child sexual abuse in the state.”

Speaking at the event, the first lady of the state, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu hailed the governor on signing into law, the bill establishing the state’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and Sex Offenders Register. She added that this would provide a legal framework to frontally tackle domestic and sexual violence, name and shame perpetrators and most importantly, provide adequate medical and legal support to victims.

Congratulating Vivour-Adeniyi on her appointment as Executive Secretary of the agency, she said her team has achieved a lot in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, but charged them to ensure that paedophiles, sexual predators and perverts do not have any breathing space to operate. She went on to add that the state still has zero tolerance for all forms of SGBV and will continue to work towards ensuring the eradication of these bestial acts in whatever form.

“We are committed to upholding the rights of children to life, education, peaceful home, name and dignity. No child must experience violence or sexual abuse. Children, don’t allow anyone to touch your private parts or insert anything there. When you notice anyone making uncomfortable advances at you, report to your parents or elders around you.”