Ogun Raises Alarm As Gender-Based Violence Cases Hit 502 In 11 Months

The Ogun State Government has expressed deep concern over the rising cases of gender-based violence, revealing that the state recorded 502 incidents between January and November 2025.

According to the Vanguard, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Adijat Adeleye, made this known on Tuesday during an advocacy walk in Abeokuta to mark the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Adeleye said the surge in sexual assault, domestic abuse, child molestation, digital harassment and intimate partner violence highlights a worsening crisis that demands stronger legal protection and coordinated action from all stakeholders.

She described the statistics as alarming, noting that they reflect not only the persistence of violence but also an increasing readiness of survivors to report cases as reporting systems improve.

Of the reported 502 cases, 120 were recorded at the state’s Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), while the others came through area offices and partner organisations.

Adeleye stressed that these figures represent only cases that reached official channels, adding that many survivors—especially women and children—still suffer in silence due to fear, stigma or social pressure.

The commissioner raised concerns over the growing rate of digital-related violence, including cyberbullying, online harassment, sextortion and identity impersonation, describing it as a major challenge in the digital age.

She warned that technology has expanded the avenues for abuse, enabling perpetrators to attack victims remotely and anonymously.

According to her, young people face increased vulnerability to online grooming, extortion and emotional manipulation as digital exposure widens.

“The growing digital exposure of young people has left many vulnerable to online grooming, extortion and emotional manipulation,” she said.

“There are several interventions of the present administration through the ministry in partnership with the State Economic Transformation Project and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to strengthen the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).”

Adeleye highlighted ongoing interventions by the ministry, in collaboration with the State Economic Transformation Project and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to strengthen SARCs and expand state-wide sensitisation programmes.

She said the ministry continues to work with traditional rulers, religious institutions and schools to dismantle cultural norms that tolerate violence.

She also identified major institutional obstacles such as slow judicial processes, family interference and weak inter-agency coordination.

Adeleye called for bold legal reforms, including safer medical support for rape and incest victims and the designation of rape as a non-bailable offence.

She urged parents, teachers, digital platforms and community leaders to play more active roles in protecting children and addressing online threats.

Earlier, the governor’s wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, and the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, restated the state government’s commitment to reducing GBV and strengthening support systems for survivors.