LASG will not tolerate rape, domestic violence, Deputy governor insists

LASG will not tolerate rape, domestic violence, Deputy governor insists
FRANCIS IWUCHUKWU
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Orelope Adefulire yesterday insisted that the scourge of rape and domestic violence will not be tolerated in the state.
Addressing participants who had after a walk to create awareness on rape in Lagos State converged at her office, Adefulire who was represented by a Special Assistant attached to the Deputy Governor's office, Risikat Akinyode said the menace must be put an end to in the state and indeed in the country.
The Deputy Governor added that the state government is spending so much money to ensure that the rights of citizen were protected, with a further position that any of such case brought to the attention of government would be decisively dealt with.
The awareness is part of the annual United Nations 16 days of Activism on Violence Against Women (Nov.25th –Dec. 10th) and in celebration of the first anniversary of the Mirabel Centre.
Earlier in her address, founder of the Mirabel Centre, Itoro Eze-Anaba maintained that the aim of the rape walk with the theme “Not in our communities” is to provide a platform where all stakeholders in the fight against rape and sexual assault, can mobilise  the community to take action against perpetrators of rape and report such cases to appropriate authority.
According to the founder, "Ikeja Motor Park was strategically chosen as the meeting point as this will enable us to create awareness among different sectors of the community who use the motor park including road transport workers, bus drivers, okada riders, etc.
"The route, from the motor park to the Deputy Governor’s office, is a busy road in the metropolis and thus many people we believe will benefit from the awareness created by the walk.    
"The walk is organised in collaboration with  the following partners: Lagos State domestic violence and sexual assault response team (DVSART), Lagos State gender advocacy team (LASGAT), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), ministry of Justice, Office of the public defender, ministry of women affairs and poverty alleviation, the ministry of youth, sports and social development, ministry of health, medical personnel, and WG8 on violence against women.
She equally stressed the need for legal support from government so that the fundamental rights of victims are well protected.