The following memo analyses data for the focus states of Borno, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta for July 2016.

There were 37 incidents of Violence Affecting Women and Girls (VAWG) in July 2016 reported by NSRP sources. This reverses the upward trend in incidents seen in the last few months, with levels the lowest they have been since mid-2015. As with previous months, July reports were heavily concerned with child sexual abuse, domestic and gender-based violence. Sexual violence remains a pervasive problem across all of the NSRP focus states.

In the Niger Delta states, the main reported themes of VAWG incidents were sexual violence and crime. Rivers state reported the highest number of incidents of any target state for July 2016.

In the Northeast, the majority of the VAWG reports during July focused on the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts, a continuing trend in the region.

In the North Central region, VAWG reports were primarily related to child sexual abuse and domestic violence. Incidents of VAWG relating to general criminality, as well as some detailing alcohol or narcotics abuse, were also reported.