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

There were 58 incidents of Violence Affecting Women and Girls (VAWG) reported from NSRP Observatory sources in October 2016. This represents a positive increase in reporting this month, which further contributes to breaking the culture of silence around violence perpetrated against women and children.
While child sexual abuse and domestic violence remain the most prominent trends in reporting, there
was a significant increase in crime-related VAWG incidents observed this month.

Rivers state reported the highest number of VAWG incidents for October 2016, accounting for more than one-third of all October incidents, and comprising the majority of incidents reported from the Niger Delta. Baylesa and Delta states each reported two incidents for the month. All incidents from the Northeast region in October related to the Jama’atu Ahli Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) insurgency. Reporting in the North Central region, as in the Niger Delta, was driven mainly by domestic and child sexual violence, although there was a rise in generalized insecurity and crime affecting women and girls in October.