The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has urged churches and mosques to strengthen premarital counselling for intending couples as part of efforts to prevent domestic violence and promote healthier marriages.

The executive secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, made the call in a post shared on the agency’s X handle, @Lagosdsva, on Wednesday.

Ms Vivour-Adeniyi said the agency had launched an online religious premarital counselling course designed to equip pastors, imams and faith-based marriage counsellors with practical tools to guide couples toward respectful, violence-free relationships.

According to her, the initiative focuses on prevention by addressing potential relationship challenges before they escalate into abuse.

She noted that many couples in Lagos receive marriage preparation within churches and mosques, making religious leaders critical partners in shaping healthy relationship values.

“Domestic violence does not begin in the courtroom. In many cases, it begins long before marriage.

“Improving the quality of premarital counselling within faith institutions would help couples build marriages founded on respect, safety and shared responsibility,” she said.

The DSVA boss said the launch also drew participation from representatives of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society and the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, highlighting collaboration between government and religious institutions to promote safer homes.

She explained that the online course featured self-paced modules, case studies and assessments designed to help counsellors apply practical knowledge to real-life counselling scenarios, adding that participants who completed the programme would receive certification.

She added that the curriculum also introduced counsellors to key concepts in sexual and gender-based violence prevention, including identifying early warning signs of abusive relationships and offering appropriate guidance to couples.

According to her, the initiative complements the agency’s Relationship Health Clinic, which provides professional psychological support for individuals and couples through an evidence-based relationship assessment framework.

Ms Vivour-Adeniyi said the Lagos government reaffirmed its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence. She encouraged religious leaders across the state to support efforts to build safer homes and stronger families.

(NAN)