Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Government, through its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), has opened the Eko Haven, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence.
In a statement released on Monday, signed by its spokesperson, Mrs Joke Ladenegan-Oginni, it was revealed that this is part of the state government’s commitment to ensuring holistic support is provided for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Speaking on this, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, revealed that the facility, located in the Ikorodu axis of Lagos, is a 30-bed space capacity to provide immediate shelter services to high-risk survivors of domestic violence.
She said opening the shelter was the state government’s prompt response to the burgeoning demand to ensure the preservation of life, safety, stability, empowerment, and, subsequently, the reintegration of victims back into society.
According to Mrs Vivour-Adeniyi, “the establishment of Eko Haven is in keeping with the DSVA’s statutory mandate of establishing shelters across all Divisions of the State.
“With this intervention, we hope that survivors in abusive relationships would find the courage to break the culture of silence, speak up, and speak out with the assurance that help is just a call away”.
“Asides from providing accommodation, health, psychosocial support as well as livelihood support would also be integrated and made available for survivors through Eko Haven.
“Our compassionate staff would offer comprehensive support to help survivors address their trauma through empowerment activities, personal and legal advocacy, and in-house psychosocial support.
“The shelter is hosted at a confidential location with on-site security precautions and a gated entry,” she said.
She gave assurance that any victim or survivor of domestic violence should realize that they are not alone and that help is accessible.
DSVA is a collection of professional service providers and officials that respond as a group and in a timely fashion to the various needs of domestic and sexual violence survivors by providing legal, medical, emergency assistance, counselling and psychological and psycho-social support. It is to encourage and create an unprecedented level of collaboration among professionals working to end sexual and gender-based violence.
“Please reach out to us on 08000 333 333 or at our office located at Nobel House, Plot A, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District. Alausa,” the statement said.
