- Lagos State records 41 cases of technology-related sexual and gender-based violence.
- DSVA urges students to be digitally responsible and report abuse via its toll-free helpline.
- Over 100 students from Ojo schools participated in the advocacy campaign.
Determined to protect young people from the rising threat of online abuse, the Lagos State Government has intensified its campaign against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among schoolchildren following reports of 41 technology-facilitated cases recorded across the state.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the state government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), described the new trend of technology-facilitated sexual and gender-based violence (TFSGBV) as an emerging public concern requiring urgent action to safeguard children’s wellbeing.
The revelation came during an advocacy event themed “Technology and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)”, which brought together over 100 students from schools under Education District V, including Ojo Senior and Junior High Schools, Community Senior and Junior Secondary Schools, and Lagos State Model College, Ojo.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs. Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, urged students to be digitally responsible, vigilant, and cautious in their online engagements to avoid falling victim to predators or abuse.
Represented by the Head of Community Engagement Unit, Mr. Damilare Adewusi, Vivour-Adeniyi emphasized that the growing number of tech-related SGBV cases highlights the need for proactive awareness and self-protection among students.
“We want you to be ambassadors of change — to protect yourselves and also to educate others about safe online behavior,” she told the students.
She further explained various forms of technology-facilitated SGBV, including cyberbullying, online grooming, image-based abuse, and digital harassment, stressing that these acts are criminal and carry severe consequences.
Vivour-Adeniyi also reiterated the availability of the agency’s toll-free helpline (0-800-333-333), describing it as a confidential support channel for victims or anyone seeking to report abuse.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Adeoti, who represented the District Counsellor, expressed appreciation to the DSVA for its consistent advocacy and timely intervention in addressing new patterns of sexual and gender-based violence among young people.
She lauded the students for their attentiveness and active participation, encouraging them to spread the message of digital safety and responsibility within their schools and communities.
The campaign underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of SGBV, as the DSVA continues to adapt its strategies to tackle emerging digital and technology-driven threats.
