Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday led the walk to condemn the growing incidence of domestic and sexual violence, promising to wield “the big stick” on perpetrators in the state.
He added that his administration will support the police and the judiciary to ensure the crime is brought to the barest minimum.
Sanwo-Olu, who addressed journalists after the “walk to commit and act” rally organised by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) of the ministry of justice, said the government was also commemorating the day in line with United Nations’ declaration against gender-based violence.
According to the governor, the state is collaborating with the police and all relevant agencies to bring the crime to zero point.
He warned that no offender would go unpunished, adding that rape, domestic violence and child abuse were crimes and must be treated as such.
“Lagos state government through the ministry of justice and other arms of the government, deem it fit that we need to have this walk to further confirm and to indicate our full support for advocacy around the talk of child abuse, the advocacy around rape, against women and girl, the talk around domestic violence, sexual violence and all other vices that are around abuse of children.
“Our government by this walk confirms that we are totally against it, we stand against everything about this issue and we are going to ensure that we have zero tolerance against it.”
The governor noted these acts were a crime against humanity, warning that anyone caught in sexual violence, child abuse, domestic violence, would be made to face the law.
“We are using this advocacy to warn and to tell people to desist because the full arm of law will be brought to bear on anybody or institution found wanting in any form,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu encouraged victims of these crimes to open up to the relevant authorities to enable the government take up such issues.
According to him, “It is about time we lived in a civil society and we need to end and ensure that people end the silence. Come forth if anything happens, speak up, and you can be rest assured that you’ll be protected and the government will take up your issue.
“For people that have been all shut out that don’t know who or how to go about it, we have phone numbers that you can call. You can call our 112 or you can call the toll free number which is 08137960048. You can also send your text to 6820. Be rest assured that somebody is on the other side, that will pick up your case and we’ll see to it that justice is served in anyway where we found anybody culpable.”
Speaking also, the commissioner for justice, Moyo Onigbanjo equally condemned rape and violence, saying the walk, which is an annual event, was in line with the United Nations convention and practices.
He said: “It is a barbaric act and we frown against violence of any kind and rape against all genders. This walk demonstrates the state’s commitment and zero tolerance for all these acts of violence against women and children.
“So, anyone within the state who wants to commit these offences should be aware that they are going to face the full wrath of the law. That’s why we are taking the walk to show the State’s commitment in compliance with UN convention and practices,” said the commissioner.
JOSHUA BASSEY
