2,588 children sexually, emotionally abused in 12 months, says Lagos govt

Lagos State government, yesterday, revealed that 2,588 children experienced sexual and emotional abuse in the last 12 months in the state between August 2022 and July 2023.

Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Titilayo Shitta-Bey, stated this during a media briefing to flag off this year’s domestic and sexual violence awareness month with the theme “Not in my Lagos,” which is usually marked every September.

Shitta-Bey, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, added that 40 per cent of those children had been taken through counselling programmes to enable them to psychologically deal with the events they have witnessed without them having permanent and negative impacts on them.

She said that all the survivors of sexual assault had received medical attention from comprehensive primary healthcare centres, general hospitals and sexual assault referral centres, including Mirabel Centre, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), as well as Idera Centre.

Shitta-Bey also said that another analysis of the data revealed that there is a link between mental health issues and domestic violence, as 10 per cent of the survivors claimed that their abusers were diagnosed with mental health issues.

According to her, about 60 per cent of alleged perpetrators abuse alcohol and as such increased the risk of perpetrating domestic violence.

The solicitor-general, who disclosed that a number of activities had been set out for the Lagos State domestic and sexual violence awareness month of September 2023, said there would be an advocacy walk on September 4, 2023 within the Lagos State Secretariat at Alausa in Ikeja.

She further said there would be a market fiesta tagged, “Men Wey Sabi,” noting that the fiesta is meant to contribute towards breaking gender stereotypes, which directly or indirectly encourages the perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence.

Shitta-Bey said children would not be left out, as the safeguarding and child protection day would witness the gathering of over 400 students to debate on the topic – “Social Media Promotes Sexual and Gender Based Violence.”

According to her, participants will also receive books on their rights, body safety and steps to take to report child protection concerns.