10,613 Lagos children suffered emotional abuse after witnessing domestic violence — Lagos govt

Lagos State authorities revealed that at least 10,613 children in the region have endured emotional abuse due to witnessing domestic violence in their homes over the last five years. The disclosure came during a press conference marking the start of the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, held by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro. He emphasized that these children were not directly targeted by the violence but were significantly impacted by observing it within their families. Pedro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), highlighted the profound emotional toll on children exposed to such environments. “These children may not have been direct targets of the violence, but exposure to violence can leave deep emotional scars,” he said. His remarks underscored the broader implications of domestic violence, especially its effects on children witnessing abuse between family members. According to data released by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, there were 33,019 reported cases of domestic and sexual violence between September 2021 and July 2026. Of these, domestic violence accounted for the highest number, totaling 13,515 cases. Other types of incidents included 1,171 cases of defilement, 797 instances of child abuse and physical assault, 420 rapes, 428 cases of sexual harassment, and 100 cases of sexual assault by penetration. Additional reports included 323 threats to life, 79 attempted rape cases, and 95 cases of technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence involving both adults and minors. The agency also documented 1,861 family-related disputes concerning custody, neglect, abduction, and child labor. The number of reported cases increased from 1,075 between September and December 2021 to 5,929 in 2022, 6,389 in 2023, and 7,882 in 2024. However, the numbers dropped slightly to 7,721 in 2025 and stood at 4,013 as of July 2026. Despite this decrease, Pedro warned against interpreting it as a sign of reduced violence, noting that factors such as survivors' willingness to report, public awareness, access to support services, and availability of reporting channels influence the statistics. Pedro dismissed the notion that domestic and sexual violence is primarily linked to unemployment or financial hardship. Data indicated that 38 percent of survivors were unemployed, 47 percent were employed, and seven percent were self-employed. Among alleged perpetrators, 31 percent were employed, 45 percent were self-employed, and 12 percent were unemployed. This distribution shows that domestic and sexual violence affects all social and economic strata. Domestic violence constituted 75.5 percent of reported assaults involving adults. For children, emotional abuse comprised 82.3 percent of reported cases, followed by defilement at 8.2 percent and physical assault and child abuse at 6.6 percent. Psychological impacts were severe, with 90 percent of survivors experiencing issues such as low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress disorder, extreme fear, and anxiety. Approximately five percent faced depression requiring medical attention. Pedro noted that 30 percent of women who reported abuse were pregnant when the violence occurred, and 35 percent of domestic violence survivors indicated the abuse took place within the first five years of their marriages. Financial dependence, concerns about children, and socio-cultural pressures were cited as common reasons for delayed reporting. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency offers survivors comprehensive support, including access to legal, medical, and psychosocial services. The agency facilitates referrals, conducts investigations, prosecutes offenders, and provides emergency shelter. These efforts aim to address the multifaceted challenges faced by victims of domestic and sexual violence, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance and protection.