Domestic Violence In Lagos Rises To Alarming 2334 In Six Months, Agency Says
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Lagos State recorded about 2,334 cases of domestic violence cases were recorded in the past six months.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The agency added that four deaths related to domestic violence were also recorded.
According to the statement, the agency’s Supervisor, Virtual Response and Referral Service, Henry Okafor described the report as disturbing.
During a presentation at the 5th-anniversary programme of TQ Behavioral Health Limited, held in, Lagos, Okafor spoke about mental health.
The event was themed: ‘Domestic violence in Nigeria through the Ages: Causes, Mental Health Consequences and Intervention.’
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He said the incidents of domestic attack and violence were detrimental to the state and its environs.
Okafor revealed that the state had embarked on a proactive measure to curb the problem. He emphasised that the incessant cases have forced the state to begin sensitisation about domestic abuse.
According to him, this has been extended to schools.
Okafor revealed that in 2021, 19 deaths were linked to domestic abuse. He added that 999 physical assaults at matrimonial homes were reported as well as 127 cases of rape and defilement.
He was quoted as saying:
“The government in the same vein addressed the issue, introduced family therapy, introduced social media engagement, and empowered over 200 women who were victims of the violence.
“The speaker, in his presentation, emphasised, the need and importance to work on mental health, as part of the solution to the menace, stressing the relevance of intensive advocacy engagement across the board among stakeholders.”
Olakunle Adeogun, the Executive Director, Operations TQ Behavioural Health stressed mental health.
During his welcome address, Adeogun said behavioural health is the foundation of mental health and substance abuse. He said in Nigeria, Behavioural health is the premier mental health and substance abuse facility.
He said the mission was to totally transform behavioural health care in Nigeria.
Source: PUNCH HealthWise
