The Gnosis Help Initiative has officially launched a three-day awareness campaign rally against domestic violence and child sexual abuse.
Branded Ìkòròdú È Dìde (Ikorodu, stand up), the campaign began at the bustling Ikorodu Garage Roundabout and moved through the Magistrate Court axis, extending past the palace of Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom. The route was deliberate, threading through the heart of civic and traditional authority to underscore a simple message that abuse is no longer a private affair to be hidden; it is a community crisis demanding collective action.
The three-day campaign, running from Wednesday, February 25th through Friday, February 27th, 2026, brings together children, child advocates, domestic and sexual violence (DSV) advocates, members of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikorodu and Ikeja branches, the International Federation of Women Lawyers Ikorodu branch, neighbourhood security agencies and community leaders. It is a cross-sector coalition that blends advocacy with enforcement, culture with law.
Barrister Olumide Kayode Omosebi, founder of the Gnosis Help Initiative, explained that the organization was established to support victims of domestic violence and child sexual abuse through structured intervention and advocacy. He noted that the rally specifically addresses the rising cases of abuse within Ikorodu, warning that a lack of consequences for offenders creates an environment where violence festers. According to him, when perpetrators are not held accountable, the result can escalate into femicide. He further stressed that children raised in abusive homes often carry deep trauma, which can perpetuate cycles of violence into the next generation.
Omosebi also identified traditional and religious pressures as contributing factors, explaining that many cases are dismissed as family matters or victims are discouraged from seeking separation. He pointed to a widespread lack of confidence in reporting abuse to the police, as some victims fear bias or inaction. The aim of the campaign, he said, is to create awareness about the dangers of keeping cases of domestic violence, defilement and rape under wraps and to ensure victims access counseling, rescue services and legal remedies. He emphasized that the collaboration among multiple agencies sends a strong signal that victims are not isolated and that abusers will not go scot-free. Beyond the rally, he confirmed that the initiative maintains a permanent presence in Ikorodu, with accessible contact persons within partner agencies to simplify the reporting process.
Maureen Bolowotan, Chairperson of the FIDA Ikorodu branch, described Ikorodu as an area highly prone to abuse cases. She stated that collaboration among agencies will strengthen efforts to identify perpetrators and provide relief to victims. According to her, the partnership significantly expands coverage across the entire Ikorodu division. She added that grassroots outreach is essential for residents who may not ordinarily have access to FIDA clinics or designated help centers, ensuring that justice is not limited by geography or access.
Traditional leaders also lent their voices to the movement. Ba’ale Olukayode Olomu of Ojogbe and Ba’ale Adeyemi Banjoko of Igbodu both stressed that domestic violence breeds communal instability and must be contained at the family level before it escalates. They expressed that unchecked violence becomes a social monster that grows beyond control. As custodians of their communities, they see their responsibility as creating awareness at the grassroots and ensuring that domestic violence and child sexual abuse are addressed early and decisively.
Oluwakemi Bello, Head of Field Operations at the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, outlined the agency’s mandate to handle sexual and gender-based violence across Lagos State. She noted that partnerships with NGOs have strengthened response systems. The agency provides medical, legal and psychological support to survivors and actively encourages victims to speak out within their communities.
Olajide Abiodun, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikorodu branch, highlighted that the branch has, for over a decade, maintained a committee focused on domestic violence, child rights and persons living with disabilities. Through its legal clinic, children subjected to sexual abuse, trafficking and abusive homes receive court representation. The branch also conducts monthly sensitization programs in markets, hospitals and communities across Ikorodu. Additionally, it monitors police stations to ensure minors are not unjustly detained and escalates violations to the Attorney General through the Ministry of Justice when necessary.
Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, through the Family Support Unit and Gender Office, reiterated that prompt response to domestic violence and child sexual abuse cases is a core mandate. They emphasized that prosecution of offenders is prioritized and encouraged victims to identify perpetrators without fear. The police signaled a firm stance against stigmatizing survivors and a renewed commitment to addressing the rising menace.
In a society where abuse has too often been shielded by silence, the Gnosis Help Initiative and its’ partners are reshaping the narrative that accountability is collective, justice is accessible and standing up is no longer optional.
