Lagos DSVA Takes Anti-Abuse Campaign to Traditional Rulers in Yaba, Igbobi-Sabe

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has embarked on a sensitisation campaign for traditional chiefs within Yaba LCDA and Igbobi-Sabe on domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse, as part of efforts to combat gender-based violence at the grassroots.

The latest public enlightenment programme organised by the agency was held at the palace of the Oba of Igbobi-Sabe, His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi.

Mr Adenuga Adeleke, the agency’s Community Engagement Officer, said the state government mandated the agency to educate community leaders on three major forms of abuse: domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.

He explained that traditional rulers were chosen for the sensitisation because they are closer to the people than government officials, noting that residents usually report cases to their Baale or king before approaching government agencies.

Adeleke defined domestic violence as violence within the family circle, including between husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and other blood relatives. Its forms, he said, include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, psychological and financial abuse.

According to him, the proportion of men who report cases of abuse remains very low, but he expressed hope that more men would come forward as awareness increases about where and how to lodge complaints.

On marital sexual violence, he said many men believe that payment of dowry gives them the liberty to do whatever they wish with their wives. The government, he said, maintains that dowry confers no such right, stressing that forcing sex on a wife constitutes sexual assault by penetration.

He emphasised that consent must be sought even within marriage, citing the example of a wife who returns home late after spending hours in traffic and says she is tired. Any attempt to force her into sexual activity, he said, constitutes an offence.

He described verbal, emotional and psychological abuse as forms of abuse perpetrated through utterances, saying they could be more harmful than physical abuse because their effects are often not visible.

Victims, he said, could suffer a psychological breakdown without those around them knowing the cause.

On rape, Adeleke defined it as forceful sexual activity between adults without consent. He explained consent using the acronym FRIES: freely given, without duress; reversible, meaning a person can say yes and later say no; informed; enthusiastic, meaning pleasurable to both parties; and specific to what has been consented to.

He defined defilement as sexual activity between an adult and a child, noting that the law defines a child as anyone from zero to 17 years.

An adult who engages in sexual activity with a person under 18, he warned, has defiled that child.

Rape and defilement, he said, attract life imprisonment without the option of a fine, adding that ignorance of the law is not an excuse in court.

In his remarks, Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi said he brought the programme to his palace because he had seen similar programmes on television but believed sensitisation should be taken directly to the grassroots.

He explained that he invited traditional rulers from different quarters so they could educate members of their respective communities on the benefits of the forum.

The monarch said many people do not recognise certain acts as abuse and urged residents not to abuse children, stressing that the law is no respecter of anyone.

Oba Adeniyi disclosed that agency officials would visit various communities to sensitise market women, artisans and other residents of Igbobi-Sabe.

He noted that the Baales would first prepare their people for the visits to allay fears that government officials were coming to arrest them.

Olori Musumola Adeniyi, the Olori of Igbobi-Sabe, said she was elated by the programme, describing herself as a feminist and expressing delight that Nigerian men were also being educated on issues of abuse.

She acknowledged that abuse against men also occurs but urged men not to maltreat or abuse their wives, stressing the importance of mutual support between couples.

She also urged residents to drink alcohol moderately, noting that some men beat their wives under the influence of alcohol and may not remember their actions the following morning.

“You can scold your household, you can scold your children, but don’t scold them to the extent of punching them, beating them,” she said.

The Aro of Igbobi-Sabe, High Chief Alaka Yusuf, described the programme as a valuable enlightenment initiative for Baales and chiefs.

He said Baales were often the first point of contact whenever there was an issue in a community.

Yusuf commended the monarch for organising the programme, saying domestic violence had become rampant in communities. He added that the Lagos State Government had always been a trailblazer, noting that domestic violence and child abuse had “come to stay.”