The Lagos State Government has confirmed that 8,692 cases of domestic and sexual violence were recorded between August 2024 and July 2025, adding that domestic violence accounted for 3,685 cases, making it the most reported offence during the period under review.
Penpushing reports that Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, disclosed this during a media parley held in Ikeja on Friday, to commemorate the Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month observed every September.
The Commissioner, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Hameed Oyenuga, explained that the youngest survivor was an 18-month-old baby while the oldest was 79 years old, stressing that sexual and gender-based violence cut across all age groups.
Penpushing further reports that he, however, restated the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based violence, pointing out that the state secured more than 140 convictions and obtained six restraining orders in the past year.
The Commissioner gave a breakdown of the cases, which included 243 cases of defilement, 244 cases of child abuse and physical assault, 99 cases of rape, 48 cases of sexual harassment, and 25 cases of sexual assault by penetration.
Penpushing also reports that Pedro added that there were also 726 family-related disputes, 41 cases of cyber harassment, and 32 cases of threats to life, explaining that 3,090 children exposed to domestic violence received counselling, while 146 survivors were provided free legal representation.
The Commissioner noted that all survivors of sexual assault had access to free medical care and that 30 individuals were sheltered by the government, stressing that 1,487 survivors and 249 perpetrators underwent therapy, while 13 persons with disabilities received specialised support services.
Penpushing reports that he said Alimosho, Eti-Osa, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Oshodi-Isolo local government areas recorded the highest number of adult-related cases, while Ikorodu, Kosofe, Badagry, Alimosho and Oshodi-Isolo topped the list for child-related cases.
The statistics, however, come against the backdrop of repeated calls by civil society groups for a review of Lagos State’s Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, while it would be recalled that the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC),in 2023 in collaboration with the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, argued that the law, enacted in 2007, no longer addressed the current realities of sexual and gender-based violence.
Penpushing further reports that Founding Executive Director Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi at the dialogue said the law lacked provisions for commencement, punitive measures, and a comprehensive definition of domestic violence.
The other scholars from the University of Lagos equally emphasised the need for reforms that expand the scope of protection, address psychological abuse, and strengthen psychosocial support for survivors.
Penpushing also reports that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency in September 2024 charged community leaders to tackle sexual and gender-based violence without fear or favour, describing them as flag bearers in the fight against abuse.
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