COVID-19 Lockdown: Domestic, sexual violence cases rise in Lagos by 50%

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response has revealed that the number of domestic and sexual abuse cases being reported daily has increased by as much as 50% since the Coronavirus lockdown started in Lagos.

The response team further revealed that they recieved 8 domestic abuse cases daily before the lockdown but now the number has increased by 50% as the lockdown has made it difficult for victims at home to avoid their abusers.

According to Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, the state has now added more helplines while virtual meetings are now being used to resolve abuse cases.

“Before the lockdown, the LSDSVRT used to receive an average of eight new cases daily, since the lockdown came into effect, we started to receive an average of 13 new cases daily and this is coming from our major hotline.” Vivour-Adeniyi said to SaharaReporters on Monday.

“Because of this pandemic, we had to include two other hotlines and we have our USSD short code that people are taking advantage of to report, as well as social media.

“We have increased our accessibility and we have seen an increase in calls; people calling to report cases, get advice and psycho-social support as well as people calling on behalf of others.”

“During this period, because of the restriction on movement, provision of shelter is last resort when there is no other option.

“Options include survivors being moved to family members’ house. We have been able to insist or encourage the alleged abusers to leave the house for the wife and the children and we have had online mediation.

“We leverage on sexual assault referral centres and primary healthcare centres. We have 67 primary health care centres that provide sexual assault management services.

“If the incident has happened, the survivors need to have access to the test, which would be done and we need to be able to collect and present the evidence needed in securing a conviction.”

She also warned perpetrators, that the long arm of the law will soon catch up with them.

She added, “Perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence may think because this lockdown is ongoing, they can act with impunity.

“The Lagos State Government would ensure that the long arm of the law catches up with such persons.”