The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence while urging them to reclaim their voices, rebuild their lives and look towards a future filled with hope.
The Agency made the commitment on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, during its 2026 Survivor’s Day programme held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, “Survivor’s Day: Breaking the Cycle, Building Hope.”
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, said survivors must remain at the centre of interventions against domestic and sexual violence. She stressed the need for supportive environments where survivors can feel heard and empowered to rebuild their lives.
The keynote speaker, Dr Tolulope Oko-Igale, a Couple, Sex and Mental Health Therapist, addressed participants on “Healing After Violence: Reclaiming Your Voice, Identity and Future.” She highlighted the emotional impact of violence and the importance of healing, self-worth and rebuilding one’s identity after abuse.
The programme also focused on economic empowerment as a pathway to breaking the cycle of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, Mrs Feyisola Alayande, emphasised the importance of economic opportunities and independence in helping survivors regain stability and build sustainable futures.
A major highlight was the “Survivor Spotlight” session, themed “My Journey from Survival to Hope,” which provided an opportunity for a survivor to share her experience of rebuilding her life after violence.
The Agency said Survivor’s Day serves not only to commemorate survivors but also to highlight the collective responsibility to strengthen support systems and promote survivor-centred responses. It reaffirmed that with appropriate support, opportunities and safe spaces, survivors can move beyond violence and rebuild their lives with dignity, purpose and hope.
