Rivers Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Banigo, has renewed the call on stakeholders to support the fight against domestic violence in the country.

A statement by the deputy governor’s Press Secretary, Paul Damgbor, on Monday, quoted her as making the call during the 2015 edition of the International Day for Elimination of Violence against women.

Banigo, according to the statement, said the issue of domestic violence against women was on the increase in Africa, particularly in Nigeria.

She urged security agencies to start treating cases of domestic violence as criminal offences, instead of family issues.

The statement also quoted Banigo as tasking families and other stakeholders on the need to proffer solutions to the problems and challenges posed by domestic violence.

“It remains an unsettled reality that women all over the world face higher risk of violence than men. Statistics show that about 60 million forcibly displaced persons are women and many who flee war-torn areas are often exploited by unscrupulous persons’’, the statement quoted her as saying.

The deputy governor said that women, as home managers, needed to be given adequate support by family members for good family development.

“This issue requires the input of all and sundry; a peaceful family is crucial for raising good children,’’ she was quoted as saying.

(NAN)