LAGOS ILLUMINATES ALAUSA PURPLE IN FRESH PUSH AGAINST DOMESTIC, SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The Lagos State Government has taken its campaign against domestic and sexual violence to the heart of the state’s administrative district with the launch of the “Turn Alausa Purple” initiative.

The campaign, which forms part of activities marking the 2026 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month, is designed to draw greater public attention to the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence while encouraging individuals, institutions and communities to play an active role in preventing abuse.

The Head of Service, Bode Agoro, joined the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency to champion the initiative, stressing that the responsibility for tackling violence cannot rest solely on government agencies. According to him, meaningful progress requires the participation of public servants, families, communities and other stakeholders.

Agoro said the decision to illuminate government buildings and other strategic locations in Alausa with purple was intended to send a strong message about the seriousness of domestic and sexual violence. He urged public servants to move beyond awareness by speaking out when they encounter abuse, supporting survivors and helping affected persons access the appropriate assistance.

Under the campaign, government offices, public buildings and selected locations around Alausa are being illuminated and decorated in purple, which has become a recognised colour associated with domestic and sexual violence awareness campaigns. The state government said the display is expected to serve as a visible reminder to workers, visitors and residents that preventing abuse is a shared responsibility.

The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, explained that the initiative was not merely about changing the appearance of Alausa. She said the objective was to use the visibility of the campaign to stimulate conversations, encourage reporting and inspire people to take concrete steps against domestic and sexual violence.

Vivour-Adeniyi also called on public servants who experience violence, as well as individuals who witness or suspect cases of abuse, to speak up and seek help. She stressed that survivors should receive appropriate support rather than being left to deal with the consequences of violence on their own.

She further urged private organisations, schools, communities, media organisations and other stakeholders to contribute to the campaign by sharing reliable information on prevention, reporting channels and available support services. The DSVA said stronger collaboration among these groups would help improve the state's overall response to sexual and gender-based violence.

The “Turn Alausa Purple” campaign follows the commencement of the wider September awareness programme, which is being held under the theme “SGBV — It Ends With Us.” The programme is intended to move beyond public awareness towards prevention, stronger community involvement and improved support systems for survivors.

The Lagos State Government has also reported that its Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency received 33,009 cases between September 2021 and July 2026. The figure includes reports of domestic violence, defilement, rape, sexual harassment, child abuse, threats to life and other forms of gender-based violence. The government has said the figures reinforce the need for sustained prevention efforts and stronger systems for protecting survivors.

Through the month-long campaign, the state government said it hopes to strengthen public understanding of domestic and sexual violence, encourage victims and witnesses to report cases, and promote a culture in which abuse is confronted rather than ignored.

The DSVA reaffirmed that its broader objective remains the protection of residents, provision of support to survivors, improved access to justice and stronger preventive measures against domestic and sexual violence across Lagos State.