• DSVA rescues expectant mother
By Adebisi Onanuga and Elizabeth Eze
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, has said that the Lagos State Government will continue to intensify efforts in ensuring that issues of Domestic and Sexual Violence are reduced to the barest minimum in the state.
She assured residents of the support of the state government, in particular, persons with disability.
Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi gave this assurance on Friday at a meeting with the General Manager, Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA), Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal. The meeting was held with the aim of providing SGBV services to people with disabilities.
She said the visit to LASODA office in Alausa, alongside her team, was for more collaborative efforts and the need to strengthen a referral pathway between the two agencies when SGBV cases arise.
She said that the Lagos DSVA provides holistic services which can be accessed by all irrespective of their circumstances, hence the need for proper synergy between the two offices.
Responding, General Manager LASODA, Oyetunde- Lawal lauded the achievements of the DSVA which she said, were worthy of emulation.
She expressed enthusiasm about a lasting synergy and partnership to further advance the strides of LASODA.
She stressed the need for the Lagos DSVA to endeavour to include sign language interpreters during their awareness campaigns to encourage for social inclusion for persons with disabilities especially the hearing impaired.
” The inclusion of LASODA in your campaign team for a wider reach and carrying them along will give them a sense of responsibility in society”, she said
Oyetunde-Lawal told the DSVA team that LASODA is open to collaborations.
“We have a lot to emulate from your agency and believe this synergy will yield positive results as we set to achieve the objective of ensuring Domestic and Sexual Violence issues are adequately addressed among Lagosians regardless of status, gender, or disability,” she added.
In a related development, the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and the Police have arrested two men in Lagos for physically abusing their wives.
A statement signed by the head of the public affairs department of the agency, Mrs Adejoke Ladenegan-Oginni, said the agency received a distress call from a mandated reporter on Wednesday of an alleged case of domestic violence involving another pregnant woman and her husband.
It said that an expectant mother was physically assaulted by her husband who then proceeded to lock her in their apartment located in the Mushin Area of the state.
It said that the expectant mother was saved from the assault being meted to her by her husband.
“It was reported that the alleged physical assault eventually resulted in the pregnant woman losing consciousness and it took the timely intervention of the neighbours who rescued her and rushed her to the General Hospital for medical assistance.”
The statement said DSVA Executive , Mrs. Vivour-Adeniyi immediately contacted the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, and Police Officers from Mushin police station were immediately dispatched to the scene of the incident.
It said that the suspect has since been apprehended while the survivor is still in an unconscious state.
In a related incident which happened at Ketu, the husband of the victim allegedly beat his seven-month -pregnant wife to death.
The DSVA Executive Secretary, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said the agency received the news of the death of seven-month old pregnant woman who lost her life as a result of violence allegedly meted to her by her husband.
A statement by the Public Affairs Department said the agency received another distress call at around 1 pm same day “from a mandated reporter, who reported a case of domestic violence that allegedly led to the death of a seven-month pregnant woman who allegedly died after complaining of body pains all over her body in the early hours of today.
“The unfortunate incident happened in the Ketu area of Lagos where it was alleged that her husband had serially abused her physically and otherwise. The last incident allegedly happened at midnight January 16, 2023 which resulted in her death.
“It was also revealed that one of the family members confirmed that the deceased had repeatedly reported physical abuse to the husband’s family members, unfortunately, nothing was done to address the issue.”
She said upon the receipt of the case, field officers from the agency, it was incidented at the nearest police station where the investigation commenced immediately.
According to her, the alleged perpetrator was apprehended and currently in police custody while an investigation is ongoing.
Whilst underscoring the potential dangers and the negative ripple effect of domestic violence on survivors and the society at large, she reiterated that the state government remains unwavering in ensuring perpetrators of these heinous crimes are held accountable.
“We sympathise with the departed and use this medium to reiterate the fact that every domestic violence is truly a potential murder case”.
“As we remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure SGBV menace is reduced to the barest minimum, we encourage anyone experiencing Domestic Violence to please break the culture of silence, to know that we believe them, even as they are encouraged to speak up and report to authorities such as the DSVA either via the toll-free line 08000 333 333 or at Novel House, Plot 3, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja” Vivour-Adeniyi said.
She also expressed appreciation to the neighbors for calling for help and reaching out to the agency.
“We urge anyone experiencing domestic violence to please break the culture of silence, to know that we believe them, even as they are encouraged to speak up and report promptly to authorities such as the DSVA either via the toll-free line 08000 333 333 or at Novel House, Plot 3, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja”she said.
