Says 75% of abuse victims aware of partners’ behaviour before marriage
Lagos State government, yesterday, said preventive measures are the most efficient ways of addressing sexual and gender-based violence.
It said in 75 per cent of matrimonial abuses, victims had pre-existing knowledge of their partners’ abusive behaviour.
Executive Secretary of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, stated this during a one-day seminar for masters of ceremonies of traditional marriages in Lagos.
She said: “Recent statistics revealed that, at least, 75 per cent of those that report matrimonial abuses had pre-existing knowledge of their partners’ abusive behaviour before marriage but proceeded with the union.
“While we seek to ensure survivors of domestic and sexual violence get the necessary and available support and services they need, we believe preventive measures are the most efficient ways of addressing sexual and gender-based violence.”
She said the agency decided to engage the masters of ceremonies, popularly called Alaga Iduro, because about 70 per cent of survivors submitted themselves to customary laws and traditional marriage.
The executive secretary said the agency could not achieve eradication of domestic and sexual violence alone; hence, partnership is of utmost importance.
She added: “While various factors contribute to occurrence of the heinous crimes, the context of sexual and gender-based violence is based largely on our patriarchal society.”
“Similarly, certain traditional norms and cultures have been attributed as encouraging perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence.”
One of the participants, Mrs. Matilda Ajibola Shipelu, commended the state government for organising the programme.
She said it would help her and other participants preach against sexual and gender-based violence while conducting marriage ceremonies.
