Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, has urged customary courts to strengthen justice delivery on sexual, domestic and gender-based violence cases.
Executive Secretary of the agency, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi gave the charge at the engagement of Customary Court Presidents on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Thursday in Lagos.
Vivour-Adeniyi noted that the judiciary occupies a unique and powerful position in the pursuit of justice.
“As presidents of customary courts — the closest courts to the people — you are the first line of access to justice for many residents across Lagos State.
“Every decision you make, every pronouncement you deliver and every case you mediate shapes lives, influences communities and set the moral tone of our society.
“Today’s dialogue is not just another event on our calendar — it is a critical step in our collective mission to strengthen justice delivery, protect the vulnerable and reaffirm the dignity of every citizen of Lagos State,” she said.
According to her, talking about ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, is not merely addressing individual cases, but confronting deep-rooted cultural norms, economic power imbalances and the silence that allows abuse to thrive.
She said the judiciary’s role, therefore, is not just judicial, but transformational.
Vivour-Adeniyi said in 2024 alone, the agency handled over 8,000 cases — ranging from intimate partner violence and defilement, to emotional and economic abuse.
“Behind every statistics is a human story — a woman seeking safety, a child struggling to trust again, a man seeking help to change his behaviour.
“While we celebrate progress, stronger laws, increased awareness and improved access to support services — we must also acknowledge that justice often begins at the grassroots.
“It begins when a survivor walks into a customary court and is met with empathy instead of judgment; with timely adjudication instead of delay; with fairness instead of fear,” she said.
The executive secretary said the engagement sought to deepen collaboration between Customary Court presidents and DSVA, ensuring that the justice system not only punishes offenders, but also heal survivors and deterred future abuse.
She added that through shared efforts, stronger referral pathways between the courts and DSVA’s psychosocial and legal support teams could be built.
Vivour-Adeniyi said such efforts would ensure that victims received swift protection orders and access to counselling.
She said such shared efforts work promote continuous judicial education on trauma-informed approaches; and embed zero-tolerance for gender-based violence into every layer of justice delivery.
“Our governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has consistently demonstrated political will to end gender-based violence in Lagos State through the THEMES+ Agenda.
“Under his leadership, this agency continues to work with the judiciary, police, ministries, and civil society to ensure access to justice for all.
“However, legislation and policy alone are not enough. What will make the difference is our collective moral courage — the courage to listen, to protect, to hold offenders accountable, and to let survivors know that Lagos State stands firmly by them.
“My Lords, this is a defining moment. Let us make our customary courts true sanctuaries of justice, spaces where culture aligns with compassion, where tradition reinforces fairness, and where the law restores hope.
“Together, we can change the narrative — from silence to speaking out, from fear to faith, from pain to power,” the executive secretary said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the executive secretary of Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Mrs Adebola Odeyemi said domestic violence remained a prevalent issue in court cases.
Odeyemi said it was important that the judiciary knew how to handle and empathise with victims/survivors.
Also speaking, a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence expert, Mrs Juliet Olumuyiwa-Rufai described SGBV as a public health issue and a global pandemic; rooted in power imbalance and gender inequality.
Olumuyiwa-Rufai said gender-based violence transcended to social, economic, political, traditional, and puts across religious/national boundaries.
