By Felix Kuyinu
The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, has frowned at residents in the state making prank calls to the agency’s toll free lines.
The DSVA stated that the toll free lines are meant for reporting cases of gender violence and sexual assault. The agency furthermore warned that calling the lines on prank is an offence and violators will be prosecuted.
This was made know by Professor Ayodele Atsenuwa who addressed stakeholders at the recently held symposium to mark 10 years of existence of the agency.
Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, UNILAG, speaking at the event tagged “Are We Doing Enough? A Consideration of Lagos State’ Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in The Last Decade”, held at Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, said that the call lines, since its launch in January, 2021, have received over 15,481 calls.
However, she noted that out of the numbers, only 1,320 calls were related to the course, suggesting misuse of the tlines.
The Professor said, “This is not good as it suggests a waste of resources because those who are at the other side had to deploy resources and work to investigate. This line is not for jokes.
“The DSVA, which metamorphosed from Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, DSRVT, has evolved and delivered on its mandate to protect the vulnerables in the society particularly women and children who are being abused.
DSVA Executive Secretary, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, “We recieve a combination of prank calls and non SGBV cases.
“Some people would call us and report landlord and tenant disputes. So cases that are not SGBV are not captured in our case management.”
She disclosed that the agency also get cases outside Lagos.
“We get cases from FCT, Ogun state, Edo, Ondo because it is a national issue and because it is a national line, that is why we thought it expedient to refer to our sister agencies in the state.”
She also spoke on the activities of the agency since it’s inception reckoning that over 6,333 survivor cases have been treated in the agency’s ten year existence.
“The DSVA now attends to about 300 new cases monthly adding,” said Vivour-Adeniyi.
She added, “This is a testament to the fact that there is an increased faith in the system, that people are becoming more aware of support services that exist that they take advantage of.
“This agency has been able to record this feat because it has people serving as mandated reporters, whistle blowers, and for the fact that now people see something, say something and ensure that something is done.
Giving assurance to the state’s residents, she said, “We are assuring renewed commitment to addressing sexual violence, by ensuring prevention of the menace in the state.
“Lagos State, being a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, faces unique challenges in addressing domestic and sexual violence.
“The growing population and rapid urbanisation have created pressures that can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. However, we are also a city with a strong tradition of community engagement and a commitment to social justice.
“In the last 10 years, we have been breaking the culture of silence gradually and this is evident by the virtue of increase in formal and informal reporting of cases.”