Lagos Island Residents Take To Streets To Fight Domestic, Sexual Violence

By Emmanuel Daniji

For residents of Lagos Island, the message was clear on Friday: domestic and sexual violence can no longer be dismissed as a private family affair.

From Sura Primary Health Centre to the Lagos Island Local Council, residents, government officials, community leaders and advocates took to the streets to raise awareness about violence and encourage people to speak up, report cases and support victims and survivors.

The Advocacy Walk was organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) as part of activities marking the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month.

Rather than keeping the campaign within government offices or formal institutions, the organisers took the message directly into the community, using the walk to remind residents that preventing violence is a responsibility that involves everyone.

Flagging off the walk, Hon. Lara Oyekan Olumegbon, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Island Constituency I, called for sustained advocacy and stronger community involvement in the fight against domestic and sexual violence.

She stressed that the responsibility of ending violence could not be left tpo government alone, as families, communities and individuals all have important roles to play.

Olumegbon urged residents to speak up when they witness or experience violence, report cases to the appropriate authorities and support initiatives designed to protect victims and survivors.

She was joined at the event by Hon. Nurudeen Yunus Abiodun, APC candidate for Lagos State House of Assembly, Lagos Island Constituency II.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanently the the Secretary, Lagos State Health District IV, Dr Abimbola Bowale, highlighted the important role of the health sector in responding to domestic and sexual violence.

He stressed the need for survivors who seek help to receive timely, compassionate and appropriate care, particularly at a time when many may already be dealing with fear, trauma and uncertainty.

For the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, taking the campaign to Lagos Island was an opportunity to bring the conversation closer to residents and reinforce the message of prevention and zero tolerance for domestic and sexual violence.

She said the Awareness Month was also an avenue to deepen conversations around the issue, encourage victims and survivors to speak out and remind residents that everyone has a part to play in preventing violence and supporting people affected by it.

The walk began at Sura Primary Health Centre and ended at the Lagos Island Local Council, where the participants were received by the Executive Chairman, Hon. Prince Taiwo Ajibade Oyekan.

As the participants moved through the streets, they displayed messages promoting prevention, reporting and support for survivors.

For a problem that often happens behind closed doors, the sight of residents and officials walking through one of Lagos’ busiest communities with messages against domestic and sexual violence was itself significant.

It was a reminder that silence can allow abuse to continue, while awareness, early reporting and community support can help victims find a way out.

The Lagos Island campaign further highlighted the Lagos State Government’s efforts to keep domestic and sexual violence in the public conversation through sustained awareness, prevention, survivor support and coordinated action across communities.

The broader message was simple: violence may happen in a home, but protecting victims and preventing it is a responsibility that belongs to the entire community.