By Adebisi Onanuga
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) recorded a total of 1,617 cases of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) for the period between January and June, 2021.
This is contained in the bi-annual report of the DSVRT for the last six months.
An analysis of the report showed that a total of 1,329 adults, representing 82 per cent of the total number of cases reported for the period under review, suffered one form of assault or the other.
288 children were also assaulted during the period under review.
Of this figure, 1,125 females, representing 85 per cent were assaulted by men while 194 male, representing 15 per cent suffered assault in the hands of their women.
Of the reported cases of 1,329 involving adults, 77 per cent were reported by married women, 11 per cent by single parents, seven per cent by widowed and divorced parents while five per cent were reported by couples co-habiting.
Domestic Violence top the chart with 954 reported cases, rape accounted for 53 cases; attempt to commit rape and assault accounted for 29 cases; sexual assault by penetration and threat was 24 reported cases while other forms of domestic and gender based violence accounted for 269 reported cases.
In respect of the 288 cases reported for children, there were 124 reported cases on emotional abuse; 70 reported cases were on child defilement ; 53 cases on Physical violence and child abuse; 18 cases were reported on sexual harassment; five cases of defilement perpetrated by minors to minors while 18 cases bordered on child neglect.
An analysis of the reported cases involving adults, 1,236 of the survivors were between the ages of 18 and 45 while 93 adults were above 45 years of age.
Out of the 288 cases of children, four were between age 0 and one; 142 between age one and nine and another 142 between ages 10 and 17.
The analysis also revealed that amongst the 20 Local Government Areas (LGA) within Lagos State, Alimosho recorded the highest number of cases that were reported.
It was followed closely by Ikeja, Kosofe, Ikorodu, Oshodi-Isolo and Ifako Ijaiye.
The report further revealed that six survivors out of the 1, 617 cases reported suffered disability.
DSVRT Coordinator, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi said the analysis implies that advocacy would be intensified in these areas based on the trends observed in the areas.