By Adeleke Adeseri
Lagos State Government has disclosed that it has within the last six months recorded 2,334 cases of domestic violence, and four deaths. It described domestic violence as a worrisome development in the state and environs.
The Supervisor Virtual Response and Referral Service, VRRS, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Henry Okafor made this known in a presentation at the fifth-anniversary programme of TQ Behavioral Health Limited, held in, Lagos.
The theme of the anniversary which was held at Oriental Hotel, Lekki in Lagos State is ‘Domestic Violence in Nigeria through the Ages: Causes, Mental Health Consequences, and Intervention.’
Okafor explained that following the incessant menace of domestic violence, the state government has commenced proactive measures to curb the cases, with advocacy engagement, which is also extended to schools.
The Supervisor while noting that domestic violence is a circle, also disclosed that within last year the state recorded 19 deaths, as well as 999 physical assaults at matrimonial homes, and 127 recorded cases of rape and defilement. He said the government in same vein, to address the issue, introduced family therapy, introduced social media engagement, and empowered over 200 women who were victims of the violence.
The speaker in his presentation emphasized the need and importance to work on mental health, as part of solution to the menace, stressing relevance of intensive advocacy engagement across board among stakeholders. The Executive Director, Operations TQ Behavioral Health, Olakunle Adeogun earlier in his welcome address said Behavioral Health is the Premier Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facility in Nigeria with a mission to play a key role in total transformation of behavioral health care in Nigeria and beyond.
The Director added that, the establishment work closely with both clients and their loved ones to provide world class effective and supportive treatment in a safe and very comfortable environment that promotes recovery.
‘Our multi-disciplinary team of care providers include Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurses, Clinical Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and other experts in various fields.
Our staff comprise of professionals, operational and support staff who have been carefully selected because of their dedication, passion, compassion and commitment to care’, he said.
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The Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Dr Henry Odunlami, in his remarks, gave background of the establishment, and disclosed plans to expand operations to other West African countries in due course.
The establishment boss assured that more facilities are in offing to be put in place across the country, adding that one of it which is state-of-art, is already ongoing in Lagos, and shall be ready for commissioning in October ‘Our plan is to expand, we are going and expanding.
We are planning to have more facilities. We are having state of the art facility in Lekki, to be opened in October. We are also expanding to other West African countries’ Odunlami said.
