The Lagos State Government recorded 33,009 domestic and sexual violence cases between September 2021 and July 2026, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Lawal Pedro disclosed on Monday. Speaking ahead of the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, Pedro, represented by DSVA Executive Secretary Titilọla-Vivour Adeniyi, said the cases were reported through physical walk-ins and... The post Lagos Records 33,009 Domestic, Sexual Violence Cases In Five Years appeared first on New
The Lagos State Government recorded 33,009 domestic and sexual violence cases between September 2021 and July 2026, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Lawal Pedro disclosed on Monday.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, Pedro, represented by DSVA Executive Secretary Titilọla-Vivour Adeniyi, said the cases were reported through physical walk-ins and the Virtual Referral and Response Service.
They included 13,515 domestic violence cases, 1,171 defilement cases, 797 child abuse and physical assault cases, 420 rape cases, 428 sexual harassment cases and 100 sexual assault cases. The state also recorded 10,613 children who suffered emotional abuse after witnessing domestic violence.
“Behind every number is a person, a family and, often, a story of trauma, courage and the search for justice,” Pedro said.
Reported cases rose from 5,929 in 2022 to 7,882 in 2024 before falling to 7,721 in 2025. By July 2026, 4,013 cases had been recorded.
Pedro said reports declined by 23.6 per cent, but warned that the figures did not necessarily reflect a similar fall in actual violence, as reporting depended on awareness, access to services and victims’ willingness to speak out.
Women accounted for 88 per cent of reports, while men made up 12 per cent.
Pedro said 175 survivors received free legal support, more than 711 cases were charged to court and over 160 convictions were secured.
The state also supported 464 SGBV-related prosecutions, obtained 20 restraining orders and provided medical care, shelter and counselling. DSVA offered psychotherapy to 953 survivors, 267 alleged perpetrators and 304 children, while 40 survivors were accommodated in safe shelters.
Domestic violence accounted for 75.5 per cent of reported adult assaults. Among children, emotional abuse made up 82.3 per cent of cases, followed by defilement and physical assault.
Pedro said 90 per cent of survivors reported psychological effects, while 35 per cent experienced abuse within the first five years of marriage. He stressed that domestic and sexual violence cut across social and economic classes.
The state said prevention campaigns reached about 1.96 million residents across the 20 local government areas. More than 700 safeguarding officers were trained, while thousands of students, educators, parents and caregivers participated in protection programmes.
DSVA sub-offices were established in Kosofe and Ikorodu, and Lagos launched a policy framework on technology-facilitated SGBV.
Lagos will observe the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month throughout September under the theme, “SGBV – It Ends With Us.”
Activities include awareness campaigns, survivor support, professional training, advocacy walks and a Safeguarding and Child Protection Week. The programme will end with a Governor’s Commendation and Awards Night on September 29.
Pedro urged residents to report cases through the toll-free line, 08000-333-333.
“To the survivor, we say: you deserve safety, dignity and justice,” he said.
