Group Raises Alarm As Lagos Records Over 4,000 Domestic, Sexual Violence Cases In Seven Months | Sahara Reporters

According to the figures, Lagos recorded a total of 33,009 domestic and sexual violence cases between September 2021 and July 2026.

The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV) has raised the alarm over the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State after figures released by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) showed that 4,013 cases were recorded between January and July 2026.

According to the figures, Lagos recorded a total of 33,009 domestic and sexual violence cases between September 2021 and July 2026.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, CAIDOV Executive Director, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, described the figures as alarming, saying they underscored the scale of violence occurring in homes across the state.

“The statistics are scary. Over 4,000 cases in just 7 months means that hundreds of women, children and even men are going through trauma, abuse and violence behind closed doors. What is more disturbing is that women accounted for 88 percent of the reports,” Soloki stated.

A breakdown of the reported cases showed that 13,515 involved domestic violence, while 1,171 were cases of defilement and 797 involved child abuse and physical assault.

The figures also included 420 rape cases, 428 cases of sexual harassment and 10,613 cases involving children who suffered emotional abuse after witnessing violence at home.

Soloki noted that although the Lagos State Government reported a 23.6 per cent decline in reported cases compared with previous years, the actual number of incidents could be higher because many victims do not report abuse.

He attributed the underreporting of domestic and sexual violence to factors including fear, stigma, economic dependence and limited access to reporting channels.

“Domestic violence accounted for 75.5 percent of adult assault cases. This shows that our homes, which should be safe havens, are becoming danger zones. We cannot fold our arms,” he said.

The CAIDOV executive director commended the Lagos State Government and the DSVA, led by Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, for interventions aimed at supporting survivors and ensuring accountability for perpetrators.

He cited the provision of free legal support to survivors, the prosecution of more than 711 cases, over 160 convictions and the provision of shelters for victims.

However, Soloki called for stronger measures to prevent domestic and sexual violence, protect survivors and ensure that offenders face justice.

He urged the government to strengthen family support systems and community-based reporting mechanisms to make it easier for victims and concerned residents to report abuse.

He also called for increased funding for DSVA safe shelters and counselling centres across Lagos State’s 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas.

Soloki further advocated the speedy prosecution of domestic violence offenders to serve as a deterrent and called for widespread public enlightenment on the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law.

He said CAIDOV would intensify its advocacy, counselling and rescue operations across the state over the next six months.

“As an organization, CAIDOV will intensify its advocacy, counselling and rescue operations across Lagos in the next 6 months. We call on residents to speak out and report any case of abuse through the DSVA toll-free line 0813-796-0048 or walk into any of our offices. Silence kills,” Soloki added.