Lagos State has recorded a dramatic rise in the number of men reporting cases of gender-based violence, with new data showing that nearly 8,000 male survivors have come forward in 2025—an enormous jump from the yearly average of about 300 cases previously.

The revelation was made by Damilare Adewusi, Head of Community Services at the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), during activities marking the 2025 International Men’s Day. The event, held in partnership with the University of Lagos (UNILAG), featured an awareness walk themed “Navigating Pressure: A Man’s Well-being in Modern Lagos.”

The walk began at the UNILAG Senate Building and moved through notable areas of the campus, drawing in students, staff, and members of civil society who joined to raise awareness about male-centered violence and the emotional pressures men face.

Adewusi, speaking on behalf of DSVA’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Titilola Adeniyi, said the agency is committed to supporting all survivors of domestic and sexual violence—men included. She noted that gender-based violence is often viewed as a women-only issue, but men also experience abuse and often suffer in silence due to shame, stigma, and cultural expectations.

She explained that DSVA has expanded its male-focused interventions, including its monthly “Men With Habits” outreach programme, which engages market men, challenges stereotypes, promotes responsible behaviour, and encourages men to report abuse when it happens.

According to Adeniyi, the massive leap in reported cases—from 300 to almost 8,000—shows that more men are finally finding the courage to speak up and seek help.

At the event, convener Elder Adedini Oluropo also highlighted the emotional and psychological pressures men deal with daily. He lamented how society often dismisses or misunderstands men’s struggles, including when they report violence.

He urged men to open up more to their partners and encouraged young people to seek wisdom from elders rather than depending solely on social media for guidance.

The DSVA called for a continued shift in public perception, stressing that gender-based violence affects everyone—and men deserve safe spaces, empathy, and access to justice just as much as women.