In Lagos, 2,588 children have been sexually molested, according to the government.

LAGOS—THE Lagos State administration revealed yesterday that at least 2,588 children were sexually and emotionally abused as a result of various domestic violence incidents that occurred in the state between August 2022 and July 2023.

Ms Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, disclosed this at a media briefing as part of events to kick off the 2023 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, themed ‘Not in my Lagos.’

Shitta-Bey, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, added that 40% of those children have gone through counselling programmes to ensure that the events they witnessed do not have a long-term and negative impact on them.

“From August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023, the agency handled 5624 cases divided into two categories, adults and children,” Shitta-Bey stated.

“Every month, the agency receives an average of 250 clients.” In adults, 91% of survivors were female, 9% were male, whereas in youngsters, 45% were boys and 55% were girls.

“During the review period, the Agency served 7 people with disabilities who were victims of one form or another of Gender-Based Violence.”

“The youngest victim of sexual violence was an 18-month-old baby, while the oldest victim of domestic violence was a 79-year-old woman.”

“The effects of sexual and gender-based violence cannot be overstated, as 90% of survivors reported low self-esteem, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, extreme fear and anxiety, and about 5% suffered from depression and had to seek medical help.”

“Some of the men and women who had been subjected to domestic violence revealed that they had lost their source of income as a result of the abuse.”

“The agency has obtained 21 restraining orders against abusive spouses from the courts under the Protection Against Domestic Violence Act of 2015.” Furthermore, the Lagos State Government achieved at least 120 judgements throughout the time under review through the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.”