Lagos vows to prosecute rapists, others

Handles 4,035 domestic violence cases

As the issues of rape, child abuse and domestic violence continue to rise in the society, the Lagos State government yesterday, vowed to prosecute perpetrators of the crime no matter the status of those involved.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem disclosed this at a press briefing at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, in Alausa.

He said the activities of the state Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in the last one year, have yielded good results as it complemented the state’s efforts by handling a total of 192 cases in one year.

Among other areas on the front burner are, child abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, defilement, divorce, matrimonial issues and child’s custody and maintenance issues.

The commissioner reiterated that in the last one year, it handled a total of 4, 035 cases involving domestic violence.

Out of the 192 cases, Kazeem said the government handled 89 domestic violence cases, 62 defilement cases, 18 rape cases, 6 attempted rape, 10 child neglect and 7 child abuse cases, while 92 cases are presently being heard in court.

Kazeem said government has declared a zero tolerance for matters relating to domestic violence and child abuse and would not relent, until the scourge is reduced to the barest minimum.

He said agencies of government, including DSVRT, Office of Public Defender (OPD) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), among others, have been mandated to ensure that while perpetrators of the act are brought to justice, victims of domestic violence are given succor towards their rehabilitation.

“As regards provision of shelter for victims, the Ministries of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Youth and Social Development as well as strategic partners NGOs, have played key roles in ensuring that victims were evacuated to a safer environment of shelter homes.