The Lagos State Government has disclosed that a total of 8,692 cases of domestic and sexual-based violence were recorded in the state in the last one year.
The period spans between August 2024 and July 2025. This underscores the scale of the challenge despite sustained advocacy and interventions.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, revealed the figures on Friday at a news conference to flag off activities for the 2025 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Lagos, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to him, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) handled an average of 400 new cases monthly, with domestic violence making up the largest share at 3,685 cases.
Other incidents, he said, included 243 cases of defilement, 244 of child abuse, 99 of rape, 48 of sexual harassment, and 25 of sexual assault by penetration.
“The youngest survivor we attended to was an 18-month-old baby, while the oldest was a 79-year-old woman. This confirms that sexual and gender-based violence cuts across all ages,” said Pedro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, Hameed Oyenuga.
He also revealed that 3,090 children were exposed to emotional abuse as indirect victims of domestic violence, adding that counseling support had been provided to mitigate long-term trauma.
On patterns observed, the Attorney-General noted that more men reported cases compared to previous years, while 60% of survivors of domestic violence were in marriages of less than five years, with financial dependence and cultural factors contributing to delayed reporting.
The findings also showed a worrying link between mental health and violence.
“Our data indicates that 10% of survivors said their abusers had been diagnosed with mental health conditions,” Pedro disclosed.
Beyond statistics, the Attorney General stated that the state provided direct interventions, as survivors received referrals for police support, health care, legal aid, and mediation services, adding that in cases requiring urgent protection, shelters and empowerment initiatives were made available, while 1,489 survivors and 249 abusers accessed psychotherapy and psychosocial support.
Pedro stressed the government’s resolve to intensify awareness campaigns, noting that from August 2024 to July 2025, the DSVA engaged 6.3 million residents across all 20 LGAs through door-to-door campaigns, market drives, school outreach programs, and community meetings.
“We are building a Lagos where silence is no longer an option, and where survivors know that help is just a call away,” he said.
To further strengthen prevention, he said the state expanded the Kings Club and Queens Club initiative, reaching 1,560 children with lessons on positive masculinity and femininity.
Survivors in high-risk categories also accessed support through the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Trust Fund, which provided medical aid, housing, and business grants.
Pedro reaffirmed Lagos’ zero-tolerance stance on SGBV, saying that “The effects of domestic and sexual violence are devastating, ranging from PTSD and depression to extreme fear and low self-esteem. Our duty is to ensure survivors are not just heard, but supported to heal and rebuild their lives.”