Lagos receives 1,108 report of men domestically abused

The Lagos State Government through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA says 1,108 men have reported being domestically abused in six years.

The DSVA Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, made this known recently at the unveiling of ”The Hidden Crime, Violence Against Men” initiative at Ikeja.

Vivour-Adeniyi said the initiative was to encourage male folks to break the culture of silence and speak up, as they also experienced different kinds of violence.

Speaking at the launch of ‘The Hidden Crime, Violence Against Men’ project, held in Alausa, Vivour-Adeniyi, told the participants, numbering about 300 men, that they play a crucial role in the fight against SGBV in the state.

She said a recently concluded community engagement in over 10 local government areas had revealed the need for enlightenment and focus on men who are victims or survivors of SGBV.

She stated that the project aimed to ensure that the agency leaves no gender behind in its advocacy, preventive and response mechanisms, stressing that it is determined to break the culture of silence which encourages sexual and gender-based violence to thrive in the society through the initiative.

The DSVA Executive Secretary, said that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his inaugural speech on May 29, informed Lagos residents of the addition of ‘PLUS’ into the THEMES Agenda.

The ‘PLUS’, the DSVA scribe said, represented Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth.

The acronym, T.H.E.M.E.S, represents the six pillars of the State’s strategic development agenda.

They are Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism, as well as Security and Governance”.