LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, has identified abusive childhoods and toxic home environments as major drivers of violent behaviour in adults, warning that the cycle of abuse is hindering efforts to combat gender-based violence in the state.
Vivour-Adeniyi made this disclosure on Sunday during a community sensitisation programme in Ikorodu, where she addressed residents on the root causes of domestic and sexual violence. She explained that many perpetrators of violence were themselves victims of abuse during childhood, and that unresolved trauma often manifests as aggression, control, and violence in their adult relationships.
“We have found that a significant number of people who perpetrate violence in their homes were either abused as children or grew up in environments where violence was normalised,” Vivour-Adeniyi stated. “They carry that trauma into adulthood, and unless there is intervention, they repeat the same pattern. This is why our approach must go beyond punishment to include prevention, counselling, and rehabilitation.”
The DSVA boss noted that the agency had handled thousands of cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse since its establishment, and that a recurring theme in many of these cases was a history of childhood trauma. She called on parents and guardians to create safe, nurturing environments for their children, warning that exposure to violence at a young age can have lifelong psychological consequences.
“What children see, they become. If a child grows up watching their father beat their mother, they internalise that behaviour. If a child is sexually abused and nobody listens, they carry that pain into adulthood. We must break this cycle,” she said.
Vivour-Adeniyi also stressed the importance of early intervention, urging victims and witnesses of domestic violence to report incidents to the agency or the police. She said the DSVA had trained counsellors and social workers who could provide support to both victims and perpetrators, with a focus on breaking the cycle of violence.
The sensitisation programme featured presentations on the causes and consequences of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and child abuse, as well as the legal remedies available to victims. Residents were also educated on the agencies and organisations they could contact for help, including the DSVA, the Nigeria Police Force, and civil society organisations.
The Baale of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, who was represented at the event, commended the DSVA for its efforts and pledged the community’s support in the fight against gender-based violence. He urged parents to prioritise the welfare of their children and to seek help when they are struggling to manage their emotions or their households.
Some residents who attended the programme said they had gained a deeper understanding of the root causes of domestic violence and pledged to be advocates for change in their communities. “I used to think that violence in the home was just a private matter. Now I understand that it is a crime, and that it has consequences for everyone,” said Mrs. Adebimpe Ogundipe, a participant.
Vivour-Adeniyi said the DSVA would continue to work with communities, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in Lagos State. She urged victims of abuse to speak out and to seek help, assuring them that they would be supported and protected.
