Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday urged residents to speak out against domestic violence and assist government’s efforts to reduce the menace in the society.

Ambode, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, made the call at a Symposium on Gender Based Violence organised by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT).

He said that domestic violence remained a devastating public health crisis as statistics revealed that one in four women would be physically or sexually assaulted at some point in her lifetime.

According to him, the government will endeavour to provide landmark prevention against domestic violence, protect survivors, bring offenders to justice and change attitudes that support such violence.

“As a government, we are in the process of establishing more shelter and transit homes for victims, procurement of rape kits and training of relevant agencies to equip them with the tools required to combat this evil.

“Our law enforcement and justice system must work to hold offenders accountable and protect victims and their children.

“Ending domestic violence requires a collaborative effort of every part of the society.

“We, however, call on stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market leaders, NGOs, law enforcement agencies and the media to join this fight.

“There is still much to be done to reach thousands of survivors and break the culture of silence to prevent countless incidences of abuse and save untold numbers of lives.

“We assure the citizens of our administration’s commitment to reducing the prevalence of domestic violence in Lagos State.”

Also speaking, Justice Yetunde Idowu, Head, Lagos State Family Court, urged citizens to utilise the helpline – 112, to receive further information on relevant support services available.

Idowu said that the government was working with all relevant agencies and organisations to respond proactively to acts of domestic violence as crimes, and afford the victims access to the relevant support services.

In her remark, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Funlola Odunlami, said that domestic violence was a serious community problem that required serious attention.

Odunlami said that it affected individuals of all tribes, cultural groups, religions and socio-economic backgrounds.

She urged the public to recognise domestic violence as a public matter and not a private matter, to increase awareness and break the silence. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Ambode.